The Guardians signed Holderman to a one-year, $1.5 million contract Thursday, Zack Meisel of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

Holderman was non-tendered by the Pirates in November following a disastrous 2025 season that saw him collect a 7.01 ERA and 18:16 K:BB over 25.2 innings. The 30-year-old reliever entered the season with a career 3.58 ERA and 23.8 percent strikeout rate, so he's a good bet to bounce back to some degree in 2026 in a new setting. The Guardians will have multiple years of control, as Holderman will be eligible for salary arbitration in 2027 and 2028.

Holderman was non-tendered by the Pirates on Friday, Alex Stumpf of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Holderman was DFA'd by the Pirates in the early week after struggling mightily with the club in 2025, maintaining a 7.01 ERA and 1.95 WHIP across 25.2 innings. He's been more effective in the past, so he should be able to land at least a minor-league deal at some point this winter.

The Pirates designated Holderman for assignment Tuesday, Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

EDGE Analysis

With the Pirates adding six prospects to their 40-man roster in preparation for the Rule 5 Draft, Holderman will end up as one of the casualties necessary to clear space. The 30-year-old righty wasn't quite his usual self in 2025, finishing the year with a 7.01 ERA and 1.95 WHIP across 25.2 innings after entering the season with a 3.58 ERA across his three years in the big leagues. His prior performance may draw some attention from other bullpen-needy teams browsing the waiver wire.

The Pirates optioned Holderman to Triple-A Indianapolis on Friday.

EDGE Analysis

Holderman will end up as the odd man out of Pittsburgh's bullpen following Justin Lawrence's (elbow) return from the injured list. Holderman has taken a massive step back this year, posting a 7.01 ERA through 25.2 innings in the big leagues after logging a 3.16 ERA in 2024. Despite his performance, he remains a candidate to return to Pittsburgh if/when the Bucs need bullpen depth for their final stretch of games.

Holderman secured the save Thursday against the Dodgers, allowing one hit and striking out one in two-thirds of an inning.

EDGE Analysis

It's possible that primary closer Dennis Santana was unavailable after working each of the past two days for the Pirates, which opened the door for Holderman to collect his first save of the year and the third of his career. However, Holderman shouldn't be expected to see many more save chances down the stretch. Over 22.1 innings, the right-hander has a 7.66 ERA, 1.93 WHIP and 15:14 K:BB with two holds.

The Pirates recalled Holderman from Triple-A Indianapolis on Friday, Alex Stumpf of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Holderman will return to the majors for the first time since mid-May, coming up from Indianapolis with Evan Sisk as part of a slew of bullpen moves Friday. In 16.1 innings pitched at Triple-A, Holderman has a 5.51 ERA. Cam Sanders was optioned to Triple-A and Ryan Borucki was designated for assignment in corresponding moves.

The Pirates activated Holderman (thumb) from the 15-day injured list Monday and optioned him to Triple-A Indianapolis, Colin Beazley of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

EDGE Analysis

Holderman has been shelved since late May with right thumb inflammation. While he is now healthy, the Pirates have elected to keep him at Indianapolis where he had been on his rehab assignment rather than adding him back to the big-league bullpen.

Holderman (thumb) began a rehab assignment with Single-A Bradenton on Friday, MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Holderman has been sidelined since May 20 but had been ramping up at Pittsburgh's spring training facility for the last several days. He'll likely need a few appearances before being activated, but he should be back at some point in early July.

Holderman (thumb) received a cortisone injection and will not throw for at least one week, MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Holderman was placed on the injured list May 20 due to inflammation in his thumb. Given that he won't throw until early June, he isn't likely to return for several more weeks.

Pirates director of sports medicine Todd Tomczyk said Wednesday that Holderman has been diagnosed with right thumb tenosynovitis and is scheduled to visit a specialist in Arizona next week, Danny Demilio of PittsburghBaseballNow.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Pittsburgh had initially labeled Holderman's injury as thumb inflammation when he was placed on the injured list Tuesday, but follow-up tests revealed that the right-hander is actually dealing with tenosynovitis, a condition Tomczyk said is "very debilitating for anybody that has a career in gripping and throwing a baseball." The upcoming visit with a specialist should shed more light on a treatment plan for Holderman, but based on Tomczyk's foreboding comments, the 29-year-old reliever appears likely to be sidelined beyond the minimum 15 days.