BEN HELLER NEWS

MiLB deal with Cubs The Cubs signed Heller to a minor-league contract Monday, Andrew Destin of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

Impact Heller, 33, made eight appearances with the Pirates in 2024, posting an 11.25 ERA and 15:6 K:BB over 12 frames. He ended the season on the injured list with a shoulder problem, but the Cubs must feel confident in the reliever's current health status.

DECEMBER 30, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Outrighted to Triple-A The Pirates outrighted Heller (shoulder) to Triple-A Indianapolis on Monday, Andrew Destin of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

Impact Heller ended the season on the 60-day injured list with a shoulder issue. He's off the 60-day IL but will not return to the 40-man roster. It's not clear how healthy his shoulder is now.

NOVEMBER 4, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Moves to 60-day IL The Pirates transferred Heller (shoulder) to the 60-day injured list Wednesday, Noah Hiles of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

Impact Heller initially landed on the injured list at the end of August with right shoulder inflammation, and his move to the 60-day IL will officially make him ineligible to return before the end of the season. He'll surrender his spot on the 40-man roster to Jake Woodford, who will start Wednesday's game against the Cardinals.

SEPTEMBER 18, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Pirates reinstate OF Andrew McCutchen from injured list. 5-time All-Star hurt knee running bases

The Pittsburgh Pirates reinstated outfielder Andrew McCutchen from the 10-day injured list on Friday after he had been out with left knee inflammation

AUGUST 30, 2024 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Lands on IL with shoulder injury The Pirates placed Heller on the 15-day injured list Friday with right shoulder inflammation.

Impact Heller tossed 7.1 scoreless innings covering his first four appearances after being recalled but had surrendered four runs over his last two outings, so it's possible the shoulder has been bothering him for a bit. It's not clear how long he might be sidelined.

AUGUST 30, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Skenes strikes out 9 in 6 innings, De La Cruz hits a three-run double and Pirates beat Reds 7-0

Paul Skenes struck out nine in six dominant innings, Bryan De La Cruz hit a three-run double during a six-run fifth inning and the Pittsburgh Pirates beat the Cincinnati Reds 7-0

AUGUST 23, 2024 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Added to roster The Pirates selected Heller's contract from Triple-A Indianapolis on Thursday, Noah Hiles of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

Impact Heller has been torched for 12 runs (11 earned) over just two innings in two appearances with the Pirates this season. He's put up great numbers this year at Indianapolis with a 3.55 ERA and 55:13 K:BB in 33 frames and will get another chance in a middle relief role.

AUGUST 8, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Pirates designate Ben Heller for assignment after disastrous week, claim Niko Goodrum off waivers ST. LOUIS — Ben Heller’s tumultuous, albeit brief, tenure with the Pirates came to a close Monday evening. The 32-year-old right-hander was....

JUNE 10, 2024 • POST-GAZETTE.COM

Margot starts 7-run 10th inning with RBI triple as Twins avoid sweep with 11-5 win over Pirates

Manuel Margot hit an RBI triple to start a seven-run outburst in the 10th inning, and the Minnesota Twins ended a five-game losing streak with an 11-5 win over the Pittsburgh Pirat...

JUNE 9, 2024 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Outrighted to Triple-A Atlanta outrighted Heller to Triple-A Gwinnett on Wednesday.

Impact Heller returned to the majors this year for the first time since 2020 but struggled with his command while posting a 3.86 ERA, 1.45 WHIP and 16:11 K:BB over 18.2 innings of relief for the NL East champs. He is no longer part of the 40-man roster in Atlanta.

NOVEMBER 1, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Dispatched to Triple-A Atlanta optioned Heller to Triple-A Gwinnett on Saturday.

Impact Heller's latest stint with Atlanta lasted just three days, with the veteran right-hander making two relief appearances and tossing 2.1 scoreless frames. Atlanta recalled left-hander Dylan Dodd from Triple-A to make a spot start Saturday versus the Pirates, but Dodd returned to Gwinnett a day later.

SEPTEMBER 11, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Braves bring up LHP Dylan Dodd, option RHP Ben Heller The Atlanta Braves on Saturday recalled rookie left-hander Dylan Dodd from Triple-A Gwinnett and optioned right-hander Ben Heller to Triple-...

SEPTEMBER 9, 2023 • DEADSPIN.COM

Recalled from Triple-A Heller was recalled from Triple-A Gwinnett on Wednesday.

Impact Heller was just sent down Tuesday but is back a day later to take Michael Soroka's (forearm) spot on the roster. He'll operate in middle relief.

SEPTEMBER 6, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Optioned to Triple-A Heller was optioned to Triple-A Gwinnett on Tuesday.

Impact Heller has posted a 4.41 ERA and 14:10 K:BB across 16.1 relief frames with Atlanta this season. He's clearing out to make room on the roster for Tuesday's starter, Michael Soroka.

SEPTEMBER 5, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Returns from Triple-A Atlanta recalled Heller from Triple-A Gwinnett on Saturday.

Impact He joined the 28-man active roster as a replacement for right-hander Darius Vines, who was demoted to Gwinnett in a corresponding move. In 14.1 innings out of the Atlanta bullpen this season, Heller has pitched to a 4.40 ERA, 1.47 WHIP and 14:9 K:BB.

SEPTEMBER 3, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Returns to Triple-A Heller was optioned to Triple-A Gwinnett after Wednesday's win over the Angels.

Impact The right-hander has been up with the big club since mid-June and posted a 4.40 ERA in 16 outings, but he'll head back to the minors with Max Fried (forearm) set to return from the injured list Friday. Heller could rejoin the major-league bullpen when Atlanta requires a fresh arm.

AUGUST 2, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Collects first hold Heller retired the only batter he faced Monday to record his first hold of the season in a win over the Twins.

Impact Most of Atlanta's high-leverage options were getting the day off after a heavy workload over the weekend, so Heller was brought in to get the final out of the eighth inning in a 4-1 game. It's only the second hold of the 31-year-old's career, with his first coming as a rookie in 2016 with the Yankees. Since joining the Atlanta bullpen in mid-June, Heller has an impressive nine strikeouts in 4.1 innings, but they come with four walks and a 1.85 WHIP.

JUNE 27, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

David O'Brien: Brian Snitker on Ben Heller's first 2 scoreless... - The Athletic Brian Snitker on Ben Heller’s first 2 scoreless appearances for Braves w/ 8 Ks in 3 IP: “Holy cow, he’s striking everybody out. With stuff,...

JUNE 19, 2023 • THEATHLETIC.COM

Recalled from Triple-A Atlanta recalled Heller from Triple-A Gwinnett on Thursday.

Impact The 31-year-old right-hander will fill the bullpen spot left vacant by Jesse Chavez, who has been placed on the 15-day injured list with a severe shin contusion. Heller was recently acquired from the Rays in exchange for international bonus pool. He hasn't appeared in a major-league game since 2020.

JUNE 15, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Acquired by ATL Atlanta acquired Heller from the Rays on Tuesday in exchange for international bonus pool money and optioned him to Triple-A Gwinnett.

Impact Heller was designated for assignment by Tampa Bay this past Friday, having been stuck in a holding pattern at Triple-A Durham. The 31-year-old right-hander hasn't appeared in a game at the MLB level since 2020.

JUNE 6, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Designated for assignment The Rays designated Heller for assignment Friday, Ryan Bass of Bally Sports Sun reports.

Impact Just over a week after being selected from Triple-A Durham, Heller will lose his spot on the Rays' 40-man roster following the acquisition of Robert Stephenson from Pittsburgh. The 31-year-old righty holds a 3.95 ERA and 1.40 WHIP in Triple-A this season through 27.1 innings and could be claimed by another team in need of organizational bullpen depth.

JUNE 2, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Optioned to Triple-A Heller was optioned to Triple-A Durham by the Rays on Thursday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Impact Heller was with the big club for just one day and didn't make an appearance. He's clearing out for Jake Diekman's return from paternity leave.

MAY 25, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Contract selected from Durham Tampa Bay selected Heller's contract from Triple-A Durham on Wednesday, Steve Carney of StPeteNine.com reports.

Impact Heller will get a chance to pitch in the majors for the first time since 2020, and the right-hander forged a 3.91 ERA with 29 strikeouts over 23 innings in his 16 appearances for Durham. He'll take the roster spot of Zack Burdi, who was designated for assignment in the corresponding transaction.

MAY 24, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Sidearm reliever O'Day guaranteed $3.15M with Yankees

Side-arming reliever Darren O’Day is guaranteed $3.15 million in his contract with the New York Yankees, which has both player and team options for 2022

FEBRUARY 10, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Designated for assignment Heller (biceps) was designated for assignment by the Yankees on Wednesday.

Impact Heller avoided arbitration with the Yankees earlier in the offseason when he signed a one-year deal with the team, but he'll now be removed from the 40-man roster after New York signed right-hander Darren O'Day in a corresponding move. Heller has pitched well over a limited sample across the past three seasons, making 21 relief appearances while posting a 1.48 ERA and 1.11 WHIP over 24.1 innings. He could still compete for a major-league roster spot heading into the 2021 season.

FEBRUARY 10, 2021 • ROTOWIRE