When Pittsburgh Pirates left-hander Ryan Borucki is healthy, he’s shown he can be highly effective — just what the Philadelphia Phillies need to strengthen their bullpen.
Now in his eighth MLB season, the 31-year-old has primarily pitched in relief, with his career trajectory revealing clear signs of injury interruptions. Borucki debuted in June 2018 with the Toronto Blue Jays, starting 17 games that year and posting a 3.87 ERA over 97.2 innings. The following season, he began on the injured list with elbow inflammation and only managed two starts in July, allowing 10 runs in 6.2 innings before undergoing surgery for elbow bone spurs.
He was healthy heading into 2020, but the pandemic-delayed season reshaped his role. With the minor league season canceled and MLB shortened, the Blue Jays moved Borucki to the bullpen. The change paid off — he pitched 16.2 innings across 21 appearances, posting a 2.70 ERA and striking out 21.
“Coming out of the bullpen is a different mindset,” Borucki said. “It gives you a rush — like, ‘Alright, time to battle.’ It’s new to me, but I’m enjoying it.”
Injuries returned in 2021 and 2022, and so did inconsistent performances. He posted a 4.94 ERA in 2021 and struggled in limited time in 2022, pitching to a 9.95 ERA in 11 games with Toronto before being traded to Seattle, where he improved to a 4.26 ERA.
Borucki signed a minor league deal with the Cubs before the 2023 season but opted out in May, quickly landing with the Pirates. That June, he was called up and went on to enjoy perhaps his best MLB season: a 2.45 ERA, 0.74 WHIP, and 33 strikeouts in 40.1 innings over 38 games.
However, 2024 started on a sour note. Borucki pitched only briefly in April before going on the IL with triceps inflammation, returning in September to post a 7.36 ERA in limited action.
“Last year was tough,” Borucki admitted. “After a great 2023, I finally felt healthy and like I was showing what I could do. Then the injury dragged on longer than we expected.”
In early 2025, he re-signed with Pittsburgh on a minor-league deal and came to camp as a non-roster invitee, fully aware he was a long shot. But with no pressure and a clear mindset, Borucki thrived, logging a 0.93 ERA and 14 strikeouts in 9.2 spring innings.
“I didn’t put pressure on myself. I had nothing to lose,” he said. “That mindset made it easy. You can’t worry about whether you’ll make the team — just go pitch.”
That calm confidence has carried into the 2025 regular season. Borucki has emerged as a key piece of the Pirates’ bullpen, logging 19.2 innings with a 3.20 ERA, 1.02 WHIP, and .197 opponent batting average.
“High-leverage, low-leverage — I don’t care,” said Borucki. “Whatever they need. I’ve always checked my ego. Just tell me when, and I’ll be ready.”
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His strong showing has drawn interest from around the league. Garrett Kerman of ClutchPoints speculated that the Phillies might look to trade for him, especially after losing lefty reliever José Alvarado to an 80-game suspension for violating MLB’s drug policy.
Kerman proposed a trade that would send Borucki to Philadelphia in exchange for 23-year-old Double-A pitcher George Klassen. A 2023 sixth-round pick, Klassen has impressed with his quick rise through the Phillies’ system. In seven starts for the Rocket City Trash Pandas this season, he has a 1–3 record, 4.97 ERA, and 36 strikeouts in 29 innings.