Pirates Designate Duane Underwood Jr. For Assignment

Right-handed pitcher Vince Velasquez will be activated off of the 15-day injured list for the Pittsburgh Pirates prior to Saturday’s game against the Seattle Mariners. Velasquez will start Saturday’s game at T-Mobile Park.

In a corresponding move, the Pittsburgh Pirates have designated fellow righty Duane Underwood Jr. for assignment, a source confirmed to Pittsburgh Baseball Now. 

Underwood has been a staple in the Pirates bullpen the last three seasons, appearing in 114 games since the start of 2021.

In his Pirates’ career, Underwood went 4-9 with a 4.49 ERA and three saves. This year, Underwood pitched 24.1 innings and posted a 5.18 ERA with only 14 strikeouts and 11 walks.

The Pirates originally acquired Underwood from the Chicago Cubs in a trade during spring training in 2021.

The move leaves the Pirates with six starting pitchers on their active roster.

The Pirates’ 40-man roster is now at 38.