Pirates Sign Joe La Sorsa Amid Offseason Moves

The Pittsburgh Pirates are reportedly set to sign left-hander Joe La Sorsa to a minor league deal that includes an invitation to MLB Spring Training, according to Jon Morosi of MLB Network. La Sorsa, who made his MLB debut with the Tampa Bay Rays in 2023, has spent parts of three seasons with three different teams.

He was drafted by the Rays in 2019 and had notable performances in the minors, including a 3.60 ERA across 31 appearances in 2021 and a career-high 73 and a third innings pitched in 2022, where he maintained a strong 2.33 ERA.

During that season, he recorded an impressive 36.3% strikeout rate and held opposing batters to a .191 average. However, his tenure in the big leagues has been mixed. After just two appearances with the Rays in 2023, he was designated for assignment and subsequently claimed off waivers by the Washington Nationals.

La Sorsa pitched 23 games out of the bullpen for Washington, finishing with a 4.76 ERA, before moving back and forth between the Nationals and Triple-A Rochester. His final stint of the season was with the Cincinnati Reds, where he made five appearances and gave up eight earned runs in just six and two-thirds innings, allowing four home runs.

The signing of La Sorsa comes amid the Pirates' strategy to bolster their pitching depth, reflecting their commitment to improving the roster ahead of the 2024 season. This move is particularly significant given that the Pirates have seen recent changes in their pitching staff, indicating a proactive approach to fortifying their bullpen.

As the Pirates prepare for Spring Training, La Sorsa's performance will be closely monitored as they look to enhance their pitching options for the upcoming season. His ability to strike out batters and limit hits in previous seasons could play a crucial role in providing the Pirates with additional left-handed pitching depth, an area they appear eager to strengthen this offseason.