Report: Pirates Agree to Split-Contract with Left-Hander Josh Fleming

BRADENTON, Fla. — The Pittsburgh Pirates have agreed to a split-contract with left-handed pitcher Josh Fleming, as first reported by FanSided’s Robert Murray. The agreement will pay Fleming $850,000 in the major leagues.

The 27-year-old has spent four seasons in the big leagues, all of which have come with the Tampa Bay Rays. He was picked up by the Philadelphia Phillies early in the offseason but was non-tendered by the club not long after.

For his career, Fleming has gone 19-13 with a 4.88 ERA across 55 appearances/22 starts. The left-hander has totaled 223.1 innings in the majors and has recorded 144 strikeouts against 69 walks.

The bulk of his workload came in 2021, when he made 26 appearances, 11 of which were starts. That season, Fleming went 10-8 with a 5.09 ERA.

Last year, the Rays used Fleming primarily as a bulk reliver, often following an opener. All 12 of his appearances were multiple innings. He finished his 2023 season with a perfect 2-0 record, which was accompanied by a 4.70 ERA.

Fleming doesn’t miss many bats. He only struck out 25 batters in 52.1 innings pitched last year. He typically relies on soft contact, but that recipe hasn’t worked much over the past two seasons. Last year, Fleming was among the league’s worst in the first-percentile of hard-hit percentage. Since the start of 2022, opponents have slugged .500 against him.

Fleming gives the Pirates some additional pitching depth and will compete for a spot on the club’s opening day roster this spring.

With a split-contract, a corresponding move will be needed to get Fleming on the Pittsburgh Pirates’ 40-man roster. Fleming is out of minor-league options.