The Pirates traded for bullpen depth on Monday, acquiring right-handed reliever Johnny Barbato from the New York Yankees for a player to be named or cash.
Barbato, 24, was placed on the Pirates' 40-man roster and optioned to Triple-A Indianapolis. He was designated for assignment by the Yankees on Wednesday.
Barbato appeared in 13 games as a rookie for New York in 2016, going 1-2 with a 7.62 ERA while striking out more than a batter per inning. A sixth-round pick of the Padres in 2010, Barbato was traded to New York in '14 for reliever Shawn Kelley.