Pirates Reassign Ben Heller, Two Others to Minor-League Camp

Veteran right-hander Ben Heller, who entered spring training with a chance to make the Pittsburgh Pirates major-league bullpen before being injured, was one of three players reassigned to minor-league camp on Sunday.

Also sent down were left-hander Michael Plassmeyer and catcher Abrahan Gutierrez. That leaves 55 players in camp in Bradenton, Fla.

Heller sustained a strained right shoulder in late February while throwing live batting practice. He has not appeared in a Grapefruit League game this spring.

Heller, 32, has made 50 big-league relief appearances over five seasons with the New York Yankees (2016-17, 2019-20) and Atlanta Braves (2023). He had a 3.86 ERA in a career-high 19 appearances last season.

The Pirates signed Heller to a minor-league contract in December.