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Pirates' Gregory Soto: Picks up first save of season
Rotowire
Soto earned a save in Friday's 5-4 win over the Orioles, allowing one run on one hit with three strikeouts in one inning.
It was Soto's fifth appearance of the young season, but it was the left-hander's first save of 2026 after he pitched clean ninth innings Tuesday and Wednesday against the Reds in 8-3 victories. Soto struck out the side against the Orioles on Friday but did allow a solo home run to Gunnar Henderson with two outs. Soto looks to be manager Don Kelly's preferred closer option, which makes sense given the reliever's sterling 11:2 K:BB across 5.1 innings of work.
Soto struck out two in a perfect ninth inning Wednesday during the Pirates' 8-3 win over the Reds.
For the second straight day, Soto was warming up to handle a save situation in the bottom of the ninth, only for Pittsburgh's offense to churn out insurance runs in the top of the frame and erase the save chance. The veteran southpaw has a 0.00 ERA through 4.1 innings to begin the season with an 8:2 K:BB, and he currently appears to be the favorite for save chances ahead of Dennis Santana.
Pirates' Gregory Soto: Works ninth in Tuesday's win
Rotowire
Soto allowed a hit and a walk in a scoreless ninth inning during Tuesday's 8-3 win over the Reds. He struck out one.
The veteran lefty was getting ready to handle a save situation when Oneil Cruz added some insurance with a two-run homer in the top of the ninth. Soto has a 0.00 ERA and 6:2 K:BB through 3.1 innings to begin the season, while presumed closer Dennis Santana -- who worked a scoreless eighth against the bottom of the Reds' order to record his first hold of the year -- also has a 0.00 ERA in four innings, albeit with a less dominant 2:2 K:BB. Neither pitcher has a save yet in 2026, but the scales seem to be tipping in Soto's favor as the top high-leverage option in the Pirates' bullpen.
Soto walked one and struck out three across 1.1 scoreless innings Saturday against the Mets.
Soto has appeared in each of Pittsburgh's first two games of the season and has racked up five strikeouts across 2.1 innings of work. He entered the game with two outs in the seventh inning and also worked around a leadoff walk to complete the eighth frame. Soto could figure into save chances this season, though Dennis Santana did follow him into the game in the ninth inning on Saturday.
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Pirates' Gregory Soto: Could see save chances
Rotowire
Pirates manager Don Kelly indicated Monday that Soto is in the mix to see save opportunities this season, Jose Negron of DK Pittsburgh Sports reports.
Dennis Santana will enter the season as the favorite to see most of the save chances for Pittsburgh. However, Kelly noted that he could use Santana in leverage spots earlier in games at times, and the skipper also pointed out Soto's closing experience. The left-handed Soto has held lefty bats to a .211/.306/.294 batting line in his career, making him a candidate to see some save chances when the opposition has lefties due up in the ninth inning.
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Pirates' Gregory Soto: Latches on with Pirates
Rotowire
Soto signed a one-year, $7.75 million contract with the Pirates on Tuesday, Jorge Castillo of ESPN.com reports.
Soto improved in nearly every major statistical category in 2025, finishing the regular season with a 4.18 ERA and 1.43 WHIP alongside 22 holds and a 70:24 K:BB over 60.1 innings between the Orioles and Mets. He'll receive a $2.4 million raise upon moving to the Pirates and is likely to remain in a high-leverage role; however, the majority of save opportunities will presumably continue going to Dennis Santana.
Soto struck out two in a clean ninth inning to pick up the save during Thursday's 4-3 win over the Guardians.
The first save opportunity since Felix Bautista (shoulder) hit the injured list went to Soto, and he delivered an impressive inning, sending the Guardians down in order with the help of a pair of strikeouts. It was his first save on the season in his second chance, as he blew his other opportunity June 24 against the Rangers. The left-hander has a 3.96 ERA and 44 strikeouts in 36.1 innings pitched. Soto should be in the mix for saves however long Bautista is sidelined, though the trade deadline could further shake up Baltimore's high-leverage mix.
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Mets' Gregory Soto: Sent to Mets
Rotowire
The Mets acquired Soto from the Orioles on Friday in exchange for pitching prospects Wellington Aracena and Cameron Foster, Will Sammon of The Athletic reports.
The veteran left-hander is on the move at the trade deadline for a second consecutive year after being dealt from Philadelphia to Baltimore in 2024. Soto has served as a setup man for the Orioles this season with one save and 18 holds, and he has a 3.96 ERA, 1.29 WHIP and 44:18 K:BB over 36.1 innings. He should fill a similar role in Queens in front of closer Edwin Diaz.
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