Former Phillies Reliever Yunior Marte Finds New Opportunity With Pittsburgh Pirates
Veteran right-handed pitcher Yunior Marte has found a new organization after recently becoming a free agent. The Pittsburgh Pirates announced that they have signed Marte to a minor league contract, giving the experienced reliever another chance to work his way back to the major leagues.
The signing came during Pittsburgh’s road series against the Atlanta Braves. The Pirates entered the final game of the series looking to avoid a sweep after dropping the first two contests at Truist Park. While the team focused on turning things around on the field, the front office made a move aimed at adding bullpen depth for the remainder of the season.
According to reports, the Pirates reached an agreement with Marte on June 6. The deal is a minor league contract, meaning the 31-year-old will initially report to one of Pittsburgh’s affiliates and attempt to earn a promotion back to the big-league roster.
Marte briefly appeared in the majors earlier this season with the Cincinnati Reds. However, his stay with the club was short-lived, as he pitched in just one game before being designated for assignment. After clearing waivers, he chose free agency rather than accepting an outright assignment within Cincinnati’s minor league system.
That decision opened the door for other organizations to pursue him, and the Pirates quickly took advantage of the opportunity. Pittsburgh has been searching for additional pitching depth throughout the season, and Marte provides a veteran option with major league experience.
Over the course of his professional career, Marte has appeared in parts of four different MLB seasons. He made his major league debut with the San Francisco Giants, where he began establishing himself as a hard-throwing reliever capable of handling middle-inning situations.
After his time in San Francisco, Marte spent the longest stretch of his major league career with the Philadelphia Phillies. Across two seasons with Philadelphia, he became a familiar bullpen arm and contributed during the team’s efforts to remain competitive in the National League. His tenure with the Phillies represented the most extended major league opportunity of his career.
Although his overall statistics have been inconsistent, Marte has demonstrated flashes of effectiveness throughout his time in the majors. Across 103 career relief appearances, he has posted a 5.94 earned run average along with a 1.64 WHIP. While those numbers suggest there have been challenges, teams continue to value his experience and the potential he brings as a bullpen option.
The Pirates are likely hoping that a fresh environment and additional development time in the minors can help Marte regain his best form. If he performs well and shows consistency, there is a realistic possibility that he could earn a call-up to Pittsburgh later this season.
For the Pirates, adding experienced depth is particularly important as they continue competing in the National League Central. Entering the week, Pittsburgh held a 34-31 record, placing the club third in the division. The team had played .500 baseball over its previous ten games and remained within striking distance of the playoff race.
Meanwhile, Marte’s former team, the Philadelphia Phillies, continued battling in the National League East. The Phillies entered the week with a 34-30 record, sitting in second place within their division. Philadelphia had been playing strong baseball recently, posting a 7-3 mark over its last ten contests.
As the season progresses, Marte will attempt to use this latest opportunity with Pittsburgh as a stepping stone back to the major leagues. Whether he eventually joins the Pirates’ bullpen remains to be seen, but the veteran reliever now has another chance to revive his MLB career.
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