Oh boy! It was first reported by Jason Mackey that Johan Oviedo is dealing with right elbow discomfort and currently Tommy John surgery has at least been discussed. This can’t be good for a team looking to contend in 2024 who finished the season with just a 2-man rotation as is. Let’s vent and get our frustrations out first, but then look to what possibly could be the solutions for this upcoming season’s rotation.

The MLB deadline to protect players from the Rule 5 Draft was last night at 6 pm, and the Pirates (last minute as always) decided to protect Tsung-Che Cheng and Braxton Ashcraft. We essentially called this to be exactly the case, but let’s take a look at what it means now with two roster spots open after the Wil Crowe news of being released.

We then touch on some other news like the Pirates hiring Justin Horowitz and the updated Baseball America Pirates Top 10 Prospect list.