Pirates recall Brandan Bidois, Indianapolis reliever earns MLB shot

The Pirates recalled right-hander Brandan Bidois on May 12, and the move carried a clear message: when an Indianapolis reliever keeps missing bats and handling leverage, the path to Pittsburgh can open fast. Bidois arrived on the heels of perfect outings on May 7 and May 9 against Omaha in Game 1, when he struck out five over 2.1 relief innings and sharpened a case that went beyond a surface 7.20 ERA.

That recent run mattered because Indianapolis had already leaned heavily on him. Bidois tied for the team lead with 15 appearances and finished his early-season work at 3-2 with 23 strikeouts in 15.0 innings. The run prevention number was rough, but the strikeouts and the clean Omaha work showed why the Pirates were willing to make the call now rather than wait for another turn in Triple-A.

The promotion also fit a larger pattern in Indianapolis. Bidois became the third member of the 2026 Indians to reach the majors, following Konnor Griffin on April 3 and Wilber Dotel on April 19. For Pittsburgh, that is more than a footnote. It is a sign that the club’s top affiliate has become a true on-ramp, with players moving quickly when performance and roster need line up.

Bidois’ rise has been a steady one since Pittsburgh signed him as a non-drafted free agent out of Brisbane, Queensland, Australia, on Sept. 21, 2019. He was born on June 21, 2001, and last season climbed four levels, working from Bradenton to Greensboro to Altoona and then Indianapolis. In 2025, he posted a 0.74 ERA, went 8-0, struck out 69 batters, and held opponents to a .110 average across 40 relief outings. Across 61.0 innings, he allowed only five earned runs and finished with a 0.80 WHIP, numbers that explain why the Pirates added him to the 40-man roster in the offseason before making the recall.

For Pittsburgh, Bidois is now more than an insurance arm. He is another bullpen option who earned his way up with strikeouts, innings, and a fast finish at Triple-A, and for Indianapolis, his promotion underscores just how quickly a useful reliever can turn a strong week into a major-league opportunity.