7:09 p.m.: Wendzel has been released, according to the trade log on MLB.com.
11:50 a.m.: The Pirates announced that the right fielder Noah MurdockHis contract was picked off the 40-man roster, and Murdock has now been assigned to Triple-A Indianapolis. Striker Davis Wenzel he was selected for the role of creating space for Murdock in the 40 men.
Murdock signed a minor league deal with the Pirates last November that included an option clause, according to Ethan Hullihen. So the Bucs needed to put Murdock on at least the 40-man roster to avoid losing it to another team, so today’s trade fixes that situation.
Most of Murdock’s professional career was spent in the Royals’ farm system, but he made his major league debut for the A’s in 2025 after being selected in the Rule 5 Draft, then struggled to a 13.24 ERA in his first 17 innings in the majors. The Athletics brought Murdock back to Kansas City in May 2025, and after becoming a major league free agent at the end of the season, Murdock wrestled with Pittsburgh.
Over a combined 30 2/3 innings at three different minor league levels in 2026, Murdock has a 4.11 ERA, 63.9% groundball rate, 31.5% strikeout rate, and 7.3% walk rate. The last number may be the most important, as Murdock has struggled with his control over the years. If Murdock can control his mobility while maintaining his long-term ability to attract players at a high rate, it could greatly help his chances of sticking in the big leagues.
Another team may have noticed these secondary metrics and perhaps forced the Pirates’ hand to clear the roster. Given how Pittsburgh has struggled to find effective bullpen help all year, it seems likely that Murdock will get another look at the show before too long if he continues a good career in Triple-A.
Wendzel was the other minor league signing of the offseason, and the infielder was selected to his contract on the 26-man roster in June to add depth there. Connor Griffin he was still on the injured list. Wendzel appeared in just two games with the Pirates before being sent back to Triple-A, and his DFA comes just days after he was placed on the Triple-A injured list.
Aside from his two games with the Bucs, Wendzel’s MLB resume has 27 games with the Rangers in 2024, and he’s hit just .118/.151/.216 in 53 plate appearances at the major league level. His career Triple-A slash line of .237/.341/.439 in 1875 PA is very strong, and Wendzel even enjoyed a 30-homer season when he played with the Rangers in 2023.
Most of Wendzel’s experience in the field has come at shortstop and third base, but he has also logged some time at two other infield spots and both outfield spots. Between this versatility and his Triple-A numbers, another team in need of depth might be inclined to make a waiver claim for Wendzel. Because Wendzel has been outspoken in the past, he can completely reject the deal offered by the Pirates if he resigns, and choose to opt out if he so chooses.
