Pirates Re-Sign Tanner Rainey to Minor-League Deal

The Pittsburgh Pirates re-signed right-handed relief pitcher Tanner Rainey to a minor-league deal. He will be active for Triple-A Indianapolis on Tuesday.

The 32-year-old elected free agency in lieu of an outright assignment on June 4, two days after the Pirates designated him for assignment.

Rainey made 11 appearances out of the bullpen with the Pirates after he was selected from Indianapolis on May 3. In 7.2 innings, he allowed nine runs on seven hits with with six walks and nine strikeouts. Rainey took the loss in his final appearance prior to getting DFA’d after allowing four runs against the San Diego Padres on June 1.

In nine appearances at Triple-A to start the season, Rainey allowed six runs on seven hits in 9.0 innings. He issued four walks, struck out 12 batters and recorded one save.

Though Rainey will not be added to the 40-man roster on his new contract, he offers the Pirates organizational depth. So far this season, the Pirates have used 21 different pitchers.

Rainey first joined the Pirates’ organization on a minor-league pact in the offseason. He made his MLB debut with the Cincinnati Reds in 2021 and totaled 190 appearances with the Washington Nationals from 2019-24 and was on the Nationals’ team that won the 2019 World Series.