Pirates roster – Chris Devenski is placed on the IL for an illness, while Cam Sanders is recalled to help stabilize Pittsburgh’s bullpen.
A key late-inning option for the Pittsburgh Pirates has hit another major hurdle, with right-hander Chris Devenski landing on the injured list after a recent suspension.
Misryoum reports that the Pirates made two roster moves on Thursday: Devenski was placed on the 15-day injured list due to an undisclosed illness. and Cam Sanders was recalled from Triple-A Indianapolis to take his spot.. The timing stands out because Devenski had just finished serving a two-game suspension from MLB after he intentionally threw at Cincinnati Reds rookie Sal Stewart. striking him in the ribs during a series at PNC Park.
The week’s sequence is rough for Pittsburgh. Devenski is dealing with a suspension that already disrupted his availability, and now the illness-related IL placement adds uncertainty to when he can return.
Before this latest setback. Devenski had worked his way back following a frightening spring training incident in which he was struck in the head by a 103-mph line drive.. After that recovery. he returned to provide dependable relief work out of Pittsburgh’s bullpen. only for both the on-field controversy and the current health issue to interrupt his momentum.
Sanders, 27, is stepping in as the immediate replacement.. Misryoum notes that he had been optioned to Indianapolis just last week following a difficult appearance in which he surrendered four runs on three hits over two-thirds of an inning.. Still. his more recent time in Triple-A has been encouraging enough for the Pirates to view him as a viable bridge when the bullpen is short-handed.
This matters because bullpen depth is often the first thing to feel pressure during a long season. With multiple arms already moving in and out early in 2026, Pittsburgh’s next stretch may depend on how quickly replacements can stabilize innings.
Pittsburgh’s relief corps has been in constant motion. raising questions about how the organization balances short-term needs with longer-term roster planning.. With Dennis Santana at the back end as closer and several middle relievers competing for consistent roles. the margin for error is thin. especially as manager Don Kelly manages an evolving pitching group.
Now. Sanders has the chance to prove he can deliver reliably at the major-league level. particularly with mid-90s velocity and the ability to create weak contact when his command is working.. Devenski’s timeline remains unclear, leaving the Pirates to rely on immediate bullpen answers while he’s sidelined.
For fans, the core storyline is simple: when one relief piece goes quiet, the next one must show up quickly. Misryoum will be watching how Pittsburgh fills the innings gap and whether Sanders’ recall becomes a short-term fix or a longer opportunity.