BRADENTON, Fla. -- The Pirates are beginning to clear spots on the 40-man roster ahead of Friday’s deadline to protect players from the Rule 5 Draft, releasing utilityman Phillip Evans and right-hander Tanner Anderson, a source tells DK Pittsburgh Sports.
These will not be the only roster moves the club makes ahead of the deadline, but it does clear some much-needed space for prospects ahead of the roster crunch.
Neither move is particularly surprising, especially Anderson. After signing a minor-league deal with the Pirates midseason and pitching for their Class AAA affiliate in Indianapolis for most of the season, the 28-year-old was promoted in late September and ate some innings in his only major league outing of the season.