When the Pirates DFA’d Dauri Moreta in late November, Pittsburgh fans likely expected to be able to see the underdog reliever suiting up for another MLB team. Unfortunately, fans eager to follow Moreta’s career will need to be setting some early alarms, as the young reliever has signed with the Hanshin Tigers in Japan.
Moreta had gained a following among Pirates fans during his 2023 breakout season after being acquired in the Kevin Newman trade with Cincinnati. In his first year in Pittsburgh, he was among the best swing-and-miss pitchers in baseball. His baffling slider defied physics, and he became a key component on what seemed to be an up-and-coming bullpen.