Tim Mayza DVOA, Advanced Stats, & Fantasy Rankings

Pittsburgh Pirates left-handed reliever Tim Mayza (lat) had serial imaging done on his shoulder late last week by Dr. Anthony Romeo in Chicago and was cleared to start a plyometric workout program, which he will do for the next two weeks, according to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette's Colin Beazley. If Mayza avoids a setback with his strained left lat muscle, he can resume a throwing program. The 33-year-old southpaw has been sidelined since landing on the 15-day injured list back on April 19. Even if he doesn't encounter any setbacks when he resumes throwing, Mayza is unlikely to return to the Pirates' bullpen until late June or early July. When Mayza does return, he won't really be much of a fantasy option with just four career saves in eight seasons. He had a 2.89 ERA and 1.07 WHIP with eight K's in just 9 1/3 innings before his injury.

According to Alex Stumpf of MLB.com, the Pittsburgh Pirates have signed left-handed pitcher Tim Mayza to a one-year contract. Mayza had a disappointing 2024 campaign as he posed a career-worst 6.33 ERA and a .162 WHIP across 42 2/3 innings with both the Toronto Blue Jays and New York Yankees. He struck out 28 batters with a modest 7.7% walk rate. He generated a hefty 9.3% barrel rate and a mediocre 38.4% hard-hit rate. However, in 2023, the southpaw posted a stellar 1.52 ERA and a 1.22 WHIP across 53 1/3 innings of relief. He struck out 53 batters, a much higher mark than his 2024 production. The reliever will look to bounce back the Steel City operating as a middle reliever.