PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – Pirates are adding a pair of left-handed relievers just a couple of weeks before heading to Bradenton for Spring Training. 33-year-old Tim Mayza agrees to a one-year deal per MLB.com's Alex Stumpf and 26-year-old Ryan Borucki returns according to MLB Network's Jon Heyman.
Mayza was designated for assignment and then picked up by the Yankees in August of last year and pitched in mostly non-leverage situations. The 6'3", 215-pounder gave up three runs to the Rangers on September 4, but after, only a pair of runs in 9.2 innings with two walks and eight strikeouts. In his career, Mayza has allowed a .215 batting average and .573 OPS against left handers with a .307 slugging percentage. In 2023, the Jays 12th round pick in 2013 out of Millersville University had a 3-1 record with a 1.52 ERA and 1.21 WHIP in 69 games with Toronto.
Borucki missed most of the 2024 season with carpal tunnel syndrome in his left wrist diagnosed on April 5, he wouldn't return until September 1, making 10 appearances, 7.2 innings with eight runs, seven earned with four walks and seven strikeouts. Also a former Blue Jay, Borucki starred with the Bucs as a left-handed reliever in 2023 with a 4-0 record, 2.45 ERA, 0.74 WHIP, .183 batting average against. Heyman reports Borucki gets a minor-league deal with an invitation to major league camp and if he makes the team, it's $1.15 million
