Pirates acquire RHP Yohan Ramirez from Guardians for cash

The Cleveland Guardians designated right-handed relief pitcher Yohan Ramirez for assignment last weekend so they could claim outfielder Oscar Mercado off waivers from the Philadelphia Phillies. 

Ramirez now has a new baseball home. 

Per The Associated Press (h/t ESPN), the Pittsburgh Pirates acquired Ramirez from the Guardians on Friday for cash. Pittsburgh optioned the 27-year-old to Triple-A Indianapolis ahead of a series-opener against the Milwaukee Brewers.

In a corresponding roster move, the Pirates designated left-hander Aaron Fletcher for assignment. 

Ramirez began the season with the Seattle Mariners but was traded to Cleveland in May. In total, he's thus far made just eight MLB appearances during the 2022 campaign and is 1-0 with a 6.97 ERA. As Ashley Bastock noted for Cleveland.com, the Guardians only used Ramirez back on June 24 against the Boston Red Sox. He surrendered three hits and one earned run across two innings of work in that single outing. 

Throughout his career, Ramirez has made 49 MLB appearances. He's accumulated a 3.99 ERA and five saves. 

As for the Pirates, they began Friday at 34-49 and a whopping 12.5 games back of the first-place Brewers in the National League Central standings.