OUTBen Heller RP FA Mon 12/30/24 1:12 PM
OUTBen Heller
RP FA
The Cubs signed Heller to a minor-league contract Monday, Andrew Destin of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.
EDGE Analysis
Heller, 33, made eight appearances with the Pirates in 2024, posting an 11.25 ERA and 15:6 K:BB over 12 frames. He ended the season on the injured list with a shoulder problem, but the Cubs must feel confident in the reliever's current health status.
OUTBen Heller RP FA Mon 11/4/24 5:29 PM
OUTBen Heller
RP FA
The Pirates outrighted Heller (shoulder) to Triple-A Indianapolis on Monday, Andrew Destin of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.
EDGE Analysis
Heller ended the season on the 60-day injured list with a shoulder issue. He's off the 60-day IL but will not return to the 40-man roster. It's not clear how healthy his shoulder is now.
OUTBen Heller RP FA Wed 9/18/24 6:21 PM
OUTBen Heller
RP FA
The Pirates transferred Heller (shoulder) to the 60-day injured list Wednesday, Noah Hiles of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.
EDGE Analysis
Heller initially landed on the injured list at the end of August with right shoulder inflammation, and his move to the 60-day IL will officially make him ineligible to return before the end of the season. He'll surrender his spot on the 40-man roster to Jake Woodford, who will start Wednesday's game against the Cardinals.
OUTBen Heller RP FA Fri 8/30/24 1:55 PM
OUTBen Heller
RP FA
The Pirates placed Heller on the 15-day injured list Friday with right shoulder inflammation.
EDGE Analysis
Heller tossed 7.1 scoreless innings covering his first four appearances after being recalled Aug. 10 but had surrendered four runs over his last two outings, so it's possible the shoulder has been bothering him for a bit. It's not clear how long he might be sidelined.
OUTBen Heller RP FA Thu 8/8/24 12:46 PM
OUTBen Heller
RP FA
The Pirates selected Heller's contract from Triple-A Indianapolis on Thursday, Noah Hiles of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.
EDGE Analysis
Heller has been torched for 12 runs (11 earned) over just two innings in two appearances with the Pirates this season. He's put up great numbers this season at Indianapolis, however, with a 3.55 ERA and 55:13 K:BB in 33 frames. He'll get another chance with Pittsburgh in a middle-relief role.
OUTBen Heller RP FA Fri 6/14/24 9:30 AM
OUTBen Heller
RP FA
The Pirates outrighted Heller to Triple-A Indianapolis on Thursday.
EDGE Analysis
Heller passed through waivers unclaimed after being designated for assignment and will remain in the organization. The reliever yielded 12 runs (11 earned) over just two innings during his brief time with the Pirates this season.
OUTBen Heller RP FA Mon 6/10/24 6:04 PM
OUTBen Heller
RP FA
The Pirates designated Heller for assignment Monday.
EDGE Analysis
Heller was called up from Triple-A Indianapolis on Tuesday. He struggled in his two major-league outings, giving up 12 runs (11 earned) on nine hits and one walk while striking out three over just two innings. The move corresponds with the Pirates claiming infielder Niko Goodrum from the Angels.
OUTBen Heller RP FA Tue 6/4/24 2:54 PM
OUTBen Heller
RP FA
The Pirates selected Heller's contract from Triple-A Indianapolis on Tuesday, Alex Stumpf of MLB.com reports.
EDGE Analysis
Heller had posted a 4.91 ERA but also a 34:8 K:BB over 18.1 innings with Indianapolis. The 32-year-old has extensive major-league experience, having collected a 3.06 ERA over 50 career appearances covering parts of five seasons.
OUTBen Heller RP FA Mon 3/11/24 3:47 PM
OUTBen Heller
RP FA
The Pirates reassigned Heller to minor-league camp Sunday, Kevin Gorman of TribLive.com reports.
EDGE Analysis
The 32-year-old holds a 3.06 ERA over 50 career relief appearances at the big-league level over parts of five seasons, but his resume wasn't enough to win him a spot in the Pirates' Opening Day bullpen. After missing much of the 2021 and 2022 seasons while recovering from arm injuries, Heller enjoyed good health in 2023, but control proved to be a concern for him at both the major-league and Triple-A levels. He'll likely need to string together some quality outings at Triple-A Indianapolis early on in the season to garner a look in Pittsburgh.
OUTBen Heller RP FA Tue 12/5/23 10:03 AM
OUTBen Heller
RP FA
Heller signed a minor-league contract with the Pirates on Tuesday, Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.
EDGE Analysis
Heller, 32, posted a 3.86 ERA and 16:11 K:BB over 18.2 innings in 2023 with Atlanta. He'll provide Pittsburgh with some right-handed relief depth.