The Pittsburgh Pirates have released a player they had recently claimed off waivers just over a month ago. On December 16, the Pirates
announced that they had waived outfielder Trey Cabbage, who had been claimed from the Houston Astros on November 4.
According to MLB.com’s Alex Stumpf, the Pirates made this move to allow Cabbage to pursue opportunities overseas, signaling a possible shift in his career path outside of Major League Baseball.
Cabbage appeared in 45 games for the Astros in the 2023 season, posting a line of .209/.253/.337. Over 86 at-bats, he recorded 18
hits, including four walks against 34 strikeouts, with eight doubles, one home run, and eight RBIs.
In addition to his MLB stint, Cabbage also played 66 games for the Sugar Land Space Cowboys, Houston’s Triple-A affiliate, in 2024. There, he had a more promising showing, with a .243/.351/.474
slash line. He totaled 60 hits in 247 at-bats, including 12 doubles, three triples, 13 home runs, 43 RBIs, and 41 walks to 100 strikeouts.
Cabbage made his MLB debut on July 14, 2023, with the Los Angeles Angels. In 22 games for the Angels, he struggled, slashing .208/.232/.321, collecting 11 hits in 53 at-bats, three doubles, one
home run, seven RBIs, and just two walks while striking out 26 times. Growing up in Rutledge, Tennessee, Cabbage was a multi-sport athlete, excelling in both baseball and basketball at
Grainger High School. He was named a Third Team All-American in his senior year, showcasing his talents on a national stage.
Initially committed to play college baseball at the University of Tennessee, Cabbage was selected by the Minnesota Twins in the fourth round of the 2015 MLB Draft. He signed for
$760,000, significantly more than the $517,900 allotted for the No. 110 pick, beginning his professional journey with the Twins’ minor league system.
Cabbage spent seven years with the Twins, from 2015 to 2021, but never reached the MLB. After signing a minor league contract with the Angels in 2021, he spent much of 2022 recovering from a
fractured left forearm. In 2023, he was traded to the Astros in exchange for pitching prospect Carlos Espinosa. Recently, the Pirates made moves to strengthen their roster for next season,
including acquiring first baseman Spencer Horwitz from the Toronto Blue Jays and second baseman Emmanuel Valdez from the Boston Red Sox.