The Pittsburgh Pirates have added veteran bullpen depth by signing former Philadelphia Phillies reliever Yunior Marte to a minor league contract, bringing another experienced arm into their pitching system as they continue their push through the 2026 season.
The move was confirmed during Pittsburgh’s weekend series against the Atlanta Braves, as the club looks to reinforce its roster ahead of a busy stretch of games. After dropping the first two contests in the series, the Pirates are attempting to avoid a sweep before returning home to PNC Park, where they are scheduled to host the Los Angeles Dodgers on Tuesday.
Marte, 31, most recently appeared briefly for the Cincinnati Reds earlier this season before being released. According to MLB.com, the Pirates officially signed the right-hander on June 6 to a minor league deal after he cleared waivers and elected free agency rather than accept an outright assignment.
The journeyman reliever has now spent parts of four seasons in Major League Baseball, building a career that has taken him through multiple organizations. He debuted with the San Francisco Giants before spending his longest stint with the Philadelphia Phillies, where he pitched across two seasons out of the bullpen.
During his MLB career, Marte has been used primarily in middle relief roles and has accumulated 103 appearances at the big-league level. While his overall numbers reflect inconsistency—carrying a 5.94 ERA and a 1.64 WHIP—his experience and versatility continue to make him a serviceable depth option for pitching-needy clubs.
Philadelphia fans will remember Marte from his time in the bullpen, where he occasionally provided useful innings during his tenure with the organization. He was also part of a Phillies roster that included key veterans such as J.T. Realmuto during competitive stretches in recent seasons.
For Pittsburgh, the signing represents a low-risk move with potential upside. Depending on his performance in the minors, Marte could earn another opportunity in the majors later this season if the Pirates require additional bullpen support.
As it stands, Pittsburgh sits in third place in the National League Central with a 34–31 record, showing average form over their last ten games. Meanwhile, the Phillies remain firmly in contention in the National League East at 34–30, continuing to trend positively as they look to strengthen their postseason position.
While Marte’s departure from Philadelphia marks yet another chapter in his journeyman career, the Pirates will hope his experience can still translate into valuable innings if he earns a call-up later in the season.
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