The New York Yankees acquired right-hander JT Brubaker (elbow) from the Pittsburgh Pirates on Friday in exchange for a player to be named later, according to a source. Brubaker will give the Yankees some additional starting-pitching depth, but not until later this year while he recovers from Tommy John surgery. The 30-year-old has been nothing special in his three big-league seasons with the Pirates, going a combined 9-28 with a 4.99 ERA (4.43 FIP) and 1.38 WHIP with 109 walks and 324 strikeouts in 315 2/3 innings over 63 appearances (61 starts). While he probably won't be anything more than a spot starter in the Bronx, the move to the American League East is also a downgrade for the former sixth-round pick in 2015 out of Akron.
The Pittsburgh Pirates avoided salary arbitration with right-hander JT Brubaker on Wednesday by agreeing to a one-year, $2.275 million deal, according to a source. Brubaker won't receive any kind of raise after missing all of the 2023 season following his Tommy John surgery in April. The 30-year-old said his goal this year is to return to the Pirates around the All-Star break. He made a career-high 28 starts for Pittsburgh in 2022 and went 3-12 with a 4.69 ERA (3.92 FIP) and 1.46 WHIP with 54 walks and 147 strikeouts in 144 innings pitched. Brubaker really hasn't been much of a fantasy asset at all in his three big-league seasons, posting a 4.99 ERA (4.43 FIP) and 1.38 WHIP with a 23.3 percent strikeout rate over 315 2/3 innings over 63 outings (61 starts).
Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher JT Brubaker (elbow) had Tommy John surgery on his right elbow by Dr. Keith Meister on Wednesday to fix a torn UCL. Brubaker is expected to return to major-league action in 14 to 16 months, so he'll miss all of the 2023 season and likely the start of next year. The 29-year-old right-hander had earned himself a spot in the team's Opening Day starting rotation with a strong spring training performance, but he never even made a regular season start before going on the shelf. In three big-league seasons with the Bucs to this point, Brubaker hasn't stood out for fantasy purposes, posting a 4.99 ERA (4.43 FIP), 1.38 WHIP and a 23.3 percent strikeout rate in 315 2/3 innings over 63 appearances (61 starts).
The Pittsburgh Pirates placed right-hander JT Brubaker (elbow, forearm) on the 60-day injured list on Sunday, and he could need Tommy John surgery, according to sources. Brubaker's injury could influence the Pirates to make him a reliever once he returns. His curveball and changeup looked good this spring, but his sinker-slider combination is exceptional and would play well out of the bullpen. With Brubaker potentially missing all of 2023, it looks as though Johan Oviedo's starting rotation spot is now his to lose. He'll be making his first start of the year on Monday against the Boston Red Sox. Oviedo finished off the spring strong and is worth adding in deeper fantasy leagues now that he should have a long leash for a rotation spot in Pittsburgh.
Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher JT Brubaker (elbow, forearm) may have to miss the entire 2023 season after suffering elbow inflammation a couple of days ago, according to Jason Mackey. The injury is expected to be major and will keep him out for an extended time. The Pirates are hoping Brubaker can make a comeback this year, but the outlook isn't very positive. Brubaker was expected to anchor a poor Pirates rotation in 2023. The 29-year-old posted a 4.69 ERA in 2022, but his 3.92 FIP looked much better, thanks to a 1.06 HR/9. Brubaker didn't generate too many strikeouts, with a 22.8% strikeout rate and didn't have the most control, exhibited by an 8.4% walk rate. The right-hander is droppable in almost every league after the news, and fantasy managers can easily replace him with another arm on the waiver wire.
Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher JT Brubaker (elbow, forearm) is expected to undergo further testing to determine the severity of his injury. Manager Derek Shelton mentioned that Brubaker is likely to begin the season on the injured list. It's a shame after Brubaker posted a strong 26/3 K/BB ratio across 17 1/3 innings (five starts) this spring. Hopefully it won't be anything significant and Brubaker can get back on the field soon. The 29-year-old is more of a deep league or NL-only format option, but could still contribute to a fantasy roster.
Pittsburgh Pirates right-hander JT Brubaker (arm) has been activated from the 15-day injured list and is making his final start of the 2022 season on Tuesday against the St. Louis Cardinals. Fantasy managers still playing for a championship in the final two days of the regular season will want to avoid Brubaker as a streamer, though, since he'll be on a pitch count after ramping up over the last several weeks. The 28-year-old is 3-12 on the year and has a 4.58 ERA (3.94 FIP), a 1.46 WHIP, 145 strikeouts and 53 walks in 141 1/3 innings over his 27 starts for the Bucs in his third major-league season. In his last start against the New York Mets on Sept. 15, Brubaker allowed five earned runs on seven hits in just three innings.
Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher JT Brubaker (lat) has been placed on the 15-day injured list with right lat discomfort. The 28-year-old righty left his start on Thursday early with the issue and he landed on the IL three days later. Pitcher Luis Ortiz was recalled from Triple-A Indianapolis in a corresponding move. Brubaker has a chance to come back for another start before the season ends but if he's unable to return, he'll finish the year with a 3-12 record, 4.58 ERA, 1.46 WHIP, and 145 strikeouts over 141 1/3 innings.
Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher JT Brubaker threw just three innings during Thursday's start before getting removed with lat discomfort. The right-hander wasn't very sharp in the outing by giving up five runs on seven hits and two walks, but he was able to strike out five batters on the night. The team has yet to provide any further information of his injury, but with their season going nowhere, there was no need to push him any further. There's a good chance Brubaker misses his next scheduled start the Yankees next week, but look for the club to update his status within the next 24 hours.
Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher JT Brubaker (finger) has been cleared to make his start against the Atlanta Braves on Tuesday. He was lifted during Thursday's outing due to a blister on his pitching hand. It sounds like the Pirates caught the injury early and avoided a long term problem. He'll carry a 4.19 ERA and 1.43 WHIP through 23 starts into his outing against Atlanta. There is some low-end streaming appeal here for deep league managers.
JT Brubaker
• SP
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Yankees
