Pirates trade RHP Robert Stephenson to Tampa Bay for minor-league SS

The Pittsburgh Pirates continued to shake up their bullpen, trading right-handed reliever Robert Stephenson on Friday to the Tampa Bay Rays for minor league infielder Alika Williams.

To fill Stephenson’s spot on the active roster, the Pirates recalled infielder Mark Mathias from Triple-A Indianapolis. Mathias, 28, batted .275/.370/.325 with two doubles and four RBIs in 15 games for the Pirates from April 10-May 7.

Stephenson, 30, was 0-3 with a 5.54 ERA and 1.54 WHIP in 13 innings over 17 appearances this season, averaging 10.4 strikeouts and 5.5 walks per nine innings. The Pirates claimed Stephenson off waivers last Aug. 27 from the Colorado Rockies, and he posted a 3.38 ERA and 0.83 WHIP with 12.2 strikeouts and 0.7 walks per nine innings in 13 appearances. The Pirates avoided arbitration with Stephenson by signing him to a one-year, $1.75 million contract in the offseason.

Stephenson is the latest bullpen move for the Pirates, with Wil Crowe on the 60-day injured list and Chase De Jong and Duane Underwood Jr. both designated for assignment last month. Both De Jong and Underwood cleared waivers and accepted assignments to Indianapolis. It also signals a growing confidence in Dauri Moreta and Jose Hernandez in high-leverage roles.

In return, the Pirates acquired Williams from the Rays and assigned him to Indianapolis. Williams, 24, was a 2020 first-round pick (No. 37 overall) out of Arizona State and is regarded as a shortstop with great range and an above-average arm who was considered the best pure glove in Tampa Bay’s system, per Baseball America, which ranked him the Rays’ No. 29 prospect in 2022. His bat is a bigger question mark, as he had a .237/.314/.417 slash line with 11 doubles, one triple, five home runs and 23 RBIs in 42 games at Double-A Montgomery this season.

Williams slashed .249/.353/.377 over three minor league levels last season, hitting 10 home runs and 58 RBIs at Double-A before being promoted to Triple-A Durham.