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There aren’t too many transactions happening these days, but the Kansas City Royals’<\/a> depth chart does look a bit thinner than it did to end the season.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Right-handed pitcher Noah Murdock was a seventh-round draft pick for the Royals in 2019, and he pitched in the Kansas City farm system every year since, except the canceled 2020 minor-league season. He was selected by the Athletics in last year’s Rule 5 Draft, but was returned to Kansas City in May when the A’s designated him for assignment.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n For the second offseason in a row, Murdock has left the organization, though the news admittedly flew under our radar at first. <\/p>\n <\/p>\n If you like our content,\u00a0<\/em>choose Sports Illustrated as a preferred source on Google<\/em><\/a>. <\/em><\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Murdock signed a minor-league deal with the Pittsburgh Pirates last month, according to the transactions log<\/a> on his official roster page. The deal became official on Nov. 14, but wasn’t widely publicized at the time. <\/p>\n <\/p>\n The 27-year-old also reported his own signing on Nov. 20 via social media.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Very excited to sign with the Pittsburgh Pirates for the 2026 season. Grateful to feel healthy and absolutely ready to go and to be with a new organization! pic.twitter.com\/RnbrSSGkip<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Noah Murdock (@NoahMurdock28) November 20, 2025<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/figure>\n <\/p>\n “Very excited to sign with the Pittsburgh Pirates for the 2026 season,” Murdock wrote on X (formerly Twitter). “Grateful to feel healthy and absolutely ready to go and to be with a new organization!” <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Murdock’s major league debut this season was short-lived, as he made 14 appearances with the A’s and posted an ERA of 13.24 in 27 innings. In fairness to the right-hander, however, pitching in Sutter Health Park was a struggle for virtually everyone this season.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n After returning to the Royals organization, Murdock had a 6.00 ERA in 16 appearances for Triple-A Omaha, striking out 20 batters, walking 13, and allowing 22 hits in 21 innings. <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Murdock’s strong 2024 season (3.16 ERA, 72 strikeouts in 62 2\/3 innings) had him on the radar for the Rule 5 Draft last year. The Pirates are now buying low on the same upside the A’s saw then, but for Kansas City, re-signing a struggling Triple-A arm justifiably wasn’t high on the priority list this winter.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n More MLB: <\/strong><\/em>Royals Linked To Astros 29-Year-Old World Series Champion Via Trade<\/strong><\/em><\/a><\/p>\n <\/div>\nMurdock signs minor-league deal with Pirates <\/h2>\n
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