The Philadelphia Phillies have successfully filled their 40-man roster by acquiring right-handed reliever Chase Shugart from the Pittsburgh Pirates. In exchange, the Pirates receive minor league infielder Francisco Loreto. This move was announced by the club on Tuesday.
Chase Shugart, 29, comes off an impressive 2025 season where he posted a 3.40 ERA over 45 innings of work in the Pirates’ bullpen. During that time, he allowed only 33 hits, demonstrating his effectiveness as a reliever. Originally selected by the Boston Red Sox in the 12th round of the 2018 draft from the University of Texas, Shugart made six appearances in the major leagues with Boston before being designated for assignment at the beginning of last year.
Shugart brings a diverse pitching arsenal to the Phillies, primarily utilizing a combination of a sweeper, cutter, and sinker. He also boasts a fastball that averages around 95 mph. Notably, he limited hard contact effectively last season, which is a valuable trait for a reliever. He has one minor league option left, adding to the Phillies’ flexibility as they evaluate their bullpen options this spring.
On the other hand, Francisco Loreto, just 18 years old, joined the Phillies as an amateur free agent from Venezuela in early 2024. He has participated in parts of two professional seasons, playing in the Florida Complex League. Over 77 games, he recorded a batting line of .234/.341/.371, but he was not listed among the organization’s top 30 prospects by MLB.com.
This trade illustrates the Phillies’ strategy to strengthen their bullpen while also positioning themselves for future flexibility with Shugart’s remaining minor league option. The acquisition could be beneficial as the team prepares for the upcoming season.