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The Pirates released relief pitcher Jared Hughes on Wednesday, according to Rob Biertempfel of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review.
Hughes cleared outright waivers and was placed on unconditional waivers, effectively ending his six-year stint with Pittsburgh after being drafted by the club in 2006. Hughes was clearly upset about the release.
“This is a super-sad day for me and my family,” Hughes said to Biertempfel. “I love Pittsburgh, I love my teammates and the fans. It will always be family to me here.”
In his time with the Pirates, Hughes put together a 2.82 ERA and a 1.28 WHIP in 309 1/3 innings over the course of 313 games. Last season, Hughes pitched in 67 games, posting a 3.03 ERA and a 1.42 WHIP. He still struggled in spring training this season, as he had an 11.56 ERA and a 2.14 WHIP in 9 1/3 innings (10 games).
Hughes’ release allows the Pirates not to pay him the full $2.825 million he was set to make this season. It also eliminates one more pitcher from the Pirates’ mix who are competing for the final two spots in the bullpen. Biertempfel says that one of the last two spots will probably either go to Tyler Glasnow or Trevor Williams, who are battling for the fifth spot in the starting rotation. The other spot will go to either Tyler Webb, A.J. Schugel or Wade LeBlanc.