Tom Harrington: Everything you need to know

The Pirates optioned Harrington to Triple-A Indianapolis on Monday. Harrington was one of eight players dismissed from big-league camp in the Pirates' latest round of roster cuts. The 24-year-old righty parlayed a strong showing last spring into a spot in the Pirates' season-opening rotation, but he made just one start and one extended relief appearance before he was sent back to the minors. He went on to make another long-relief appearance for Pittsburgh in early August, but he struggled across all three of his big-league outings and didn't fare much better over more extended action at Triple-A (5.34 ERA and 1.31 WHIP in 96 innings). Harrington remains an interesting prospect, but he's since been passed up on the organizational depth chart by a trio of young arms (Bubba Chandler, Braxton Ashcraft and Hunter Barco) and may not be in store for another look in the big-league rotation anytime soon.

Harrington allowed two hits and one walk while striking out two across 4.0 scoreless innings in Saturday's Grapefruit League game against the Tigers. This marked Harrington's second appearance of the spring, and he worked efficiently while ramping up to 44 pitches. He put 29 of those in the strike zone, while punching out Riley Greene and Colt Keith. Harrington has now allowed one earned run across six innings while striking out two and walking three this spring. He has an outside chance to earn a rotation role to begin the season, but he will more likely begin the campaign at Triple-A Indianapolis.

Harrington (groin) tossed a bullpen session Sunday, Colin Beazley of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports. Harrington didn't pitch after Aug. 28 last season after aggravating a right groin injury, but the 24-year-old righty had a healthy offseason and is good to go for spring training. He reached the majors for the first time in 2025 but labored over his three appearances (one start) for the Pirates, giving up 15 earned runs on 18 hits and seven walks across 8.2 innings. Harrington will compete for an Opening Day rotation spot in spring training, but he's likely to begin the season at Triple-A Indianapolis.