Pirates Trade LHP Jackson Wolf to Padres for Minor-League Infielder

Almost eight months to the day after acquiring left-handed pitcher Jackson Wolf from the San Diego Padres, the Pittsburgh Pirates have dealt him back to his original organization.

In return, the Pirates have acquired infield prospect Kervin Pichardo. The Pirates assigned Pichardo to Double-A Altoona.

Wolf, who turns 25 years old later this month, had been designated for assignment by the Pirates on Mar. 28. The Pirates acquired the tall left-hander in the deal that sent fellow lefty Rich Hill and first baseman/designated hitter Ji Man Choi to the Padres at last year’s trade deadline.

After he was acquired, Wolf made eight starts with Altoona. He finished his tenure with the Curve 0-4 with a 4.25 ERA and 30 strikeouts in 36 innings pitched.

Wolf was originally drafted by the Padres out of West Virginia University in the fourth round of the 2021 draft. He made his major-league debut with the Padres last season and allowed three runs in five innings in his lone start.

Pichardo, meanwhile, was originally signed by the Philadelphia Phillies as a non-drafted free agent in 2019. He was traded to the Padres in Mar. 2022.

In four seasons in the minor leagues, Pichardo has amassed a .227/.351/.360 slash with 31 doubles, 19 home runs, 102 RBIs and 20 stolen bases in 239 games.

The 22-year-old took a big step forward last season in High-A, where he hit .267 with a .387 on-base percentage, a 131 wRC+, seven doubles, eight home runs, 33 RBIs and six stolen bases in 70 games. He was promoted to Double-A and posted a ,644 OPS with a pair of home runs in 15 games.

Pichardo has bounced around the diamond defensively, with most of his work coming at second base, third and shortstop. He’s made at least one appearance at every position other than catcher.

The Pirates’ 40-man roster remains at capacity.