BRADENTON, Fla. — The Pirates traded lefty Eric O’Flaherty to the Atlanta Braves this morning, parting with a candidate to make their bullpen and opening the door for two more possibilities.
The Pirates had signed O’Flaherty, 31, to a minor league contract with an invite to major league camp. In 91/3 innings, he allowed eight runs, three earned, and 15 hits.
As a major league free agent who signed a minor league contract, the Pirates had to add O’Flaherty to the active roster five days before opening day or release him. If they didn’t do either, they would have to pay him a $100,000 retention bonus to send him to the minors, and he would be able to opt out June 1.