​PITTSBURGH — The Pirates activated infielder Jacob Gonzalez and left-handed pitcher Brandon Eisert ahead of the second game of Saturday’s doubleheader against the Brewers. To clear space on the active roster, right-handed pitcher Thomas Harrington and infielder Jack Brannigan were optioned to Triple-A Indianapolis. The roster moves come after Pittsburgh acquired Gonzalez and Eisert from the Chicago White Sox on Friday night in exchange for the 34th pick in the 2026 draft and left-handed pitching prospect Jaden Woods.
Gonzalez, 24, has been making his mark at the plate as he continues transitioning to Major League action. In 30 games with the White Sox earlier this year, he posted a .244/.323/.360 line, collecting four doubles, two home runs and 17 RBIs. Before his promotion on May 30, he had delivered an impressive stat line for Triple-A Charlotte in 53 games, slashing .320/.422/.675 with 12 doubles, one triple, 19 home runs, 63 RBIs and eight stolen bases. The Pirates now add a versatile infield option who can contribute across a variety of roles as they push for consistent performances in the infield and lineup.
Eisert, 28, joined the White Sox organization prior to the trade and appeared in 25 games with four starts, compiling a 2-1 record with a 5.93 ERA. Over 27.1 innings, he yielded 26 hits, issued eight walks and struck out 32. Eisert’s performance in the majors combined with his minor-league track record provides the Pirates with another left-handed bullpen option as they aim to fortify their relief corps for the stretch run.
Harrington, 24, joined Pittsburgh on Friday but did not appear in a game before being optioned back to Indianapolis. He previously spent time with the Pirates last season, making three appearances, and this year he’s gone 1-5 with a 6.52 ERA in 20 games (six starts) for the Indians. Harrington’s continued development in Triple-A remains a key piece of Pittsburgh’s pitching depth as they evaluate potential major-league opportunities later in the campaign.
Brannigan, who made his Major League debut in the Pirates’ Tuesday night victory over Atlanta, entered as a pinch-hitter and struck out in his lone plate appearance before remaining in the game at third base. His first exposure to the big leagues adds another left-handed bat with infield versatility, and the organization will monitor his progression as he continues his progress through the system.
In addition to the above moves, the Pirates added right-handed pitcher Noah Murdock as the team’s 27th player for the second game of the doubleheader. Murdock, who was added to the 40-man roster on Monday, has a 2-2 record with a 3.74 ERA across 26 appearances and one start, spanning three minor-league affiliates this season. His experience at multiple levels gives Pittsburgh another option to help bridge the gap in the bullpen and provide length when needed.
Overall, these roster moves reflect the Pirates’ ongoing strategy to balance immediate roster needs with long-term development. By activating Gonzalez and Eisert, the club adds potential contributors right away, while optioning Harrington and Brannigan ensures they maintain flexibility to test depth charts and leverage opportunities across Indianapolis’ system. The addition of Murdock as the 27th player for the doubleheader underscores Pittsburgh’s focus on bullpen depth and versatility as they navigate a competitive stretch of the schedule.
The Pirates Roster Moves: Newcomers Gonzalez and Eisert Activated, Brannigan and Harrington Optioned to Indianapolis, Noah Murdock Named 27th Player for Doubleheader, and Jaden Woods’ trade-era impact continues to influence depth pictures. This latest wave of moves comes as Pittsburgh chases consistency and performance from both veterans and burgeoning prospects within the organization. For more details and updates on Pirates transactions, stay tuned to Pittsburgh Baseball Now for in-depth coverage and analysis.