Pirates move Noah Murdock onto 40-man roster, designate Davis Wendzel for assignment

The Pittsburgh Pirates announced that right-hander Noah Murdock’s contract has been selected to the club’s 40-man roster. The corresponding roster plan is immediate: Murdock has been optioned to Triple-A Indianapolis, keeping his season at the major-league development level rather than adding him to the active group.

To make room on the 40-man roster, the Pirates designated infielder Davis Wendzel for assignment. That step is standard “roster management” work in July, when teams frequently adjust personnel to balance bullpen needs, infield depth, and the limits of the protected roster.

Murdock’s path is tied directly to the option decision. By selecting his contract and then optioning him, Pittsburgh is indicating that it values his presence as a ready big-league option while also maintaining flexibility for the rest of its pitching staff.

MLB’s roster rules make the DFA process consequential even when it is routine. Once Wendzel is designated for assignment, Pittsburgh must handle his roster status through the next required steps, which can include trade, release, or outright assignment (subject to waivers and the player’s eligibility).

The transaction also highlights how the Pirates are managing their 40-man construction in the middle of the season. Murdock’s addition suggests the club wanted his contract protected, while the Wendzel DFA indicates Pittsburgh preferred to move a position player off the protected list to create that space.

What to watch next is whether Murdock receives an opportunity at the major-league level soon, as well as the outcome of Wendzel’s designation for assignment. If another organization claims him, the Pirates could lose him without completing their preferred internal roster plan.

For now, Pittsburgh’s moves are about capacity and timing: adding a pitcher to the protected roster, optioning him to Triple-A, and using the DFA mechanism to balance the numbers on the 40-man roster.