The Pirates released Siegrist (suspension) last week, Matt Eddy of Baseball America reports.

EDGE Analysis

After failing to crack the Pirates' Opening Day roster, Siegrist refused a minor-league assignment to Triple-A Indianapolis, prompting the organization to suspend him in early April. The lefty reliever never budged from his refusal to report to the minors, ultimately sitting out the entire 2018 campaign. Pittsburgh will now cut ways with Siegrist, who shouldn't have trouble securing a minor-league deal with another organization, provided he's still interested in continuing his career. The 29-year-old was a productive big-league setup man as recently as 2016, when he posted a 2.77 ERA, 1.10 WHIP, 66:26 K:BB and 17 holds across 67 appearances with the Cardinals.

Siegrist was suspended for failing to report to Triple-A Indianapolis on Thursday, Rob Biertempfel of The Athletic Pittsburgh reports.

EDGE Analysis

Contrary to previous reports, Siegrist has not been released. It had been reported that Siegrist became a free agent after refusing a minor-league assignment, but apparently the terms of his contract did not allow him to refuse a demotion if no other team offered him a major-league deal. His refusal to accept the assignment therefore resulted in a suspension rather than his release. The length of the suspension is not yet known. The 28-year-old lefty's 3.04 career ERA suggests that he could find a role in a bullpen somewhere this season, but he's certainly not starting the year out on a positive note.

Siegrist elected free agency Thursday, Bill Brink of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

EDGE Analysis

After not making the Pirates' Opening Day roster, Siegrist refused a minor league assignment from the organization and will hit the open market. Siegrist struggled last year but had back-to-back seasons with a sub-3.00 ERA in 2015 and 2016. He could garner some interest for teams looking to add a lefty specialist out of the bullpen.

The Pirates reassigned Siegrist to their minor-league camp Monday, Adam Berry of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

The Pirates were well stocked in left-handed relief options with closer Felipe Rivero and long man Steven Brault locks to make the Opening Day roster and Josh Smoker making a compelling case for a spot as well, so it appears Siegrist was simply caught up in a numbers game. Though his performance took a step back last season while he splitting time with the Cardinals and Phillies, Siegrist compiled a 2.44 ERA and 10.3 K/9 over 136.1 innings between 2015 and 2016. Given that solid track record, it wouldn't be surprising if the PIrates eventually released Siegrist from his minor-league pact in order to pursue opportunities elsewhere.

Siegrist made his Grapefruit League debut Saturday, striking out the side after allowing a leadoff double to Ronald Acuna.

EDGE Analysis

If the veteran southpaw can stay healthy and continue pitching well in March, then he's got a great shot of serving as a late-inning man ahead of righty George Kontos and closer Felipe Rivero. Siegrist spent 2017 with both the Cardinals and Phillies, compiling a 4.81 ERA while walking 22 batters in just 39.1 innings. He picked up double-digit holds in four straight years prior to 2017 and could do the same for Pittsburgh.

Siegrist agreed to a minor-league deal with Pittsburgh on Saturday, which includes an invitation to spring training.

EDGE Analysis

Siegrist finished out the 2017 campaign with the Phillies after being handed a DFA from St. Louis in late August following his return from a forearm injury. Over the course of 46 big-league outings, he posted a 4.81 ERA and 1.55 WHIP, a far cry from his typical value that he's provided in the Cardinals' bullpen dating back to 2013. He will get an opportunity to make the Opening Day roster out of spring camp and could be a low-risk player to keep an eye on.

Siegrist passed through waivers and will become a free agent.

EDGE Analysis

Siegrist was designated for assignment by the Cardinals in late August, and then finished out the year with Philadelphia, appearing in seven games with the club. Throughout the course of the 2017 season, he accumulated a 4. 81 ERA and 1.55 WHIP while appearing in 46 games. The reliever posted two strong years in 2015 and 2016 with St. Louis, and will likely find a home within a new organization soon.

Siegrist was claimed off waivers by the Phillies on Saturday, Meghan Montemurro of The News Journal reports.

EDGE Analysis

Siegrist was DFA'd by the Cardinals on Thursday after being reinstated from the 10-day DL (forearm). The left-hander heads to Philadelphia and will slide right into their bullpen upon arrival, as the club transferred Jerad Eickhoff to the 60-day DL (hand) in order to create a roster spot for him. During 34.1 innings with St. Louis, he posted a 4.98 ERA and 1.60 WHIP while sporting a 36:20 K:BB.

Siegrist (forearm) was activated from the 10-day disabled list and designated for assignment by the Cardinals on Thursday, Jenifer Langosch of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Siegrist -- who has been sidelined since Aug. 6 with tendinitis in his forearm -- struggled to a 4.98 ERA and 1.602 WHIP across 34.1 innings this year, prompting the Cardinals to cut him loose rather than return him to their bullpen. Given his prior big-league success (2.44 ERA in 136.1 innings over the past two seasons), Siegrist should draw some interest on waivers. John Gant was recalled from Triple-A Memphis to take his place in the bullpen.

Siegrist (forearm) fired a scoreless first inning for High-A Palm Beach against St. Lucie on Saturday, allowing one hit.

EDGE Analysis

The rehabbing reliever bounced back from having allowed an earned run in one inning against Jupiter on Thursday. As per Jenifer Langosch of MLB.com, Siegrist is expected to make at least two more minor-league appearances before being activated.