Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Miguel Yajure (back) will not be competing in the Arizona Fall League this year. The 23-year-old sustained a back injury late in the regular season and the team is being cautious with him. The Pirates are anticipating that he will be able to make a full recovery prior to Spring Training next year. Yajure is the team's 24th ranked prospect on MLB Pipeline. He made four appearances (three starts) with the Pirates this year and struggled to the tune of an 8.40 ERA and a 1.60 WHIP. However, he performed well in the minors this year with a 3.40 ERA and a 1.11 WHIP over 47.2 innings split between Single-A and Triple-A.
Pittsburgh Pirates right-handed pitching prospect Miguel Yajure (forearm) has been feeling tightness in his forearm and will receive some extra days of rest while the team evaluates his health. The 23-year-old from Venezuela has started two games for the Bucs this season, allowing four earned runs on five hits while walking three and striking out eight in 9 1/3 innings of work. In three starts at the Triple-A level, he has a 3.71 ERA and 1.00 WHIP while fanning 17 and walking five over three starts (17 innings pitched). Yajure came over to Pittsburgh from the New York Yankees in the Jameson Taillon trade, and he's ranked as the team's No. 12 prospect, per MLB Pipeline. He doesn't have excellent "stuff," but he has excellent command of his pitches, which allows him to generate plenty of weak contact. There's a limited ceiling here, but the Pirates will keep their fingers crossed that his forearm tightness doesn't lead to something more serious.
Miguel Yajure Throws Five Scoreless Innings Against Giants
Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Miguel Yajure tossed five scoreless innings against the Giants on Friday, but did not factor into the decision in a 3-2 victory. Yajure allowed just one hit and one walk while striking out four in his second start of the season for Pittsburgh. Acquired in the trade that sent Jameson Taillon to the Yankees, Yajure now sports a 2.76 ERA and a 25.4 percent strikeout rate over 16 1/3 career innings in the majors. Managers shouldn't go rushing out to pick him up off the waiver-wire just yet, but he is an interesting pitcher to keep an eye on going forward. Managers in dynasty leagues should start looking into acquiring him.
Pirates Acquire Miguel Yajure, Three Other Prospects
The Pittsburgh Pirates dealt right-hander Jameson Taillon to the New York Yankees on Sunday in exchange for pitchers Miguel Yajure and Roansy Contreras, infielder Maikol Escotto and outfielder Canaan Smith, according to sources. Yajure was the Yankees No. 15 prospect, according to MLB Pipeline, while Contreras was No. 19 and Smith was No. 21. Yajure, 22, isn't overpowering with a 92-95 mph four-seam fastball, but he throws strikes and commands his pitches well at such a young age. He could be a sleeper as a back-end starter as he induces plenty of weak contact. Contreras, 21, is advanced for his age, but the right-hander must improve his command and reduce his fly balls to have success at the next level. Smith has decent speed and has spent the majority of his time in left field, and he has the skills to become a solid big-league hitter in terms of average and power.
The New York Yankees made multiple roster moves on Thursday, including calling up pitcher Miguel Yajure from their alternate site. Yajure had a fantastic year in the minors last year, split between Double-A and High-A. Over 138.2 innings, he posted a 2.14 ERA and 1.075 WHIP with 8.6 K/9. Though he was primarily used as a starting pitcher in the minors, it's likely that if he has a role on the Yankees this year, it will be in relief, potentially long relief. In corresponding moves, the Yankees also brought up pitcher Ben Heller from their alternate site and moved Zach Britton (hamstring) to the Injured List while sending Miguel Andujar back to the alternate site.