Player News
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The Pirates released Peralta on Sunday. The right-hander was cut loose after posting a 7.44 ERA and 1.52 WHIP across 32.2 innings for Triple-A Indianapolis. Peralta last pitched in the big leagues in 2022 with the Tigers and doesn't appear close to resurfacing in the majors now that he's a free agent coming off a poor showing at the Triple-A level.
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Peralta signed a minor-league contract with the Pirates on Wednesday that includes an invitation to spring training, Robert Murray of FanSided.com reports. Peralta was at Triple-A Rochester in the Nationals organization for the duration of the 2023 season, holding a 6.31 ERA over 24 starts. He did have a two-year run with the Tigers from 2021-22 when he posted a 2.93 ERA, although that came with a 90:62 K:BB over 132 innings. It's not clear whether the Pirates plan to utilize Peralta as rotation or bullpen depth, but he's unlikely to be much of a factor either way.
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Peralta was reassigned to minor-league camp by the Nationals on Saturday, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports. Peralta was signed to a minor-league contract with an invite to spring training by the Nationals at the end of January. He really struggled for most of his Grapefruit League appearances as seen in an 11.17 ERA, 2.48 WHIP and 6:5 K:BB. The right-hander could have an opt-out in his deal, so he may have to decide if he wants to head to Triple-A Rocester or test the waters of free agency.
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Peralta gave up three hits and struck out two over three scoreless innings in Thursday's Grapefruit League game against the Mets. Facing a lineup made up of bench players and a couple top prospects like Brett Baty, Peralta cruised through his first start of the spring. The veteran right-hander hasn't pitched poorly in camp, posting a 6:2 K:BB through 8.1 innings over six appearances, and with Cade Cavalli lost for the season to Tommy John surgery, the Nationals do have a rotation vacancy. Chad Kuhl is expected to get the first shot at filling it, but Peralta might be next in line. A long-relief role to begin the season seems more likely, however.
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Peralta will be stretched out for a potential starting role in spring training, Jesse Dougherty of The Washington Post reports. The veteran right-hander mostly worked as a reliever last season with Detroit but had some success in the rotation in 2021 and posted a 3.07 ERA over 93.2 innings, although that masked a 4.93 FIP and woefully low 14.4 percent strikeout rate. Peralta is in camp as a non-roster invitee, but he would seem to have a good chance of making the Opening Day roster. "I know Willie had some success in the bullpen role as a long guy," Nationals manager Dave Martinez said Wednesday. "But we are looking for him to come here and lengthen him out to start." Washington is hoping youngsters like Cade Cavalli (shoulder) and MacKenzie Gore can handle regular starting roles, but if they prove not to be ready, there could be opportunities for the likes of Peralta to take on bigger workloads in 2023 than expected.
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Stats
| Year | Team | APP | GS | INN | W | L | S | K | BBI | HA | ERA | WHIP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | DET | 28 | 1 | 38.3 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 32 | 24 | 34 | 2.58 | 1.51 |
Last 7 Games
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