OXON HILL, Md. — The Pirates added a fifth left-hander to their bullpen Thursday by selecting Tyler Webb from the New York Yankees in the major league phase of the Rule 5 draft, which concluded baseball’s winter meetings at Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center.
Webb, 26, had a 3.59 ERA in 36 appearances, five starts, last season for Class AAA Scranton-Wilkes Barre. The 6-foot-6 left-hander, a 10th-round draft pick in 2013, had a 4.06 ERA in parts of three seasons at the Class AAA level. He has not yet debuted in the majors.
As a Rule 5 draftee, Webb must remain on the Pirates’ 25-man active roster for the entire 2017 season, unless they chose to waive him or offer him back to the Yankees.