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.

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.

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 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 was 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 for him to pursue opportunities elsewhere.