Needing to call up a starting pitcher to take Francisco Liriano’s spot in the rotation on Sunday, the Pittsburgh Pirates have listed right-hander Vance Worley from Triple-A Indianapolis prior to Saturday’s game against the Miami Marlins.
The promotion of Worley wasn’t much of a secret as he was the most logical candidate, especially after his Triple-A start was skipped on Friday night.
Worley will be making his debut with the Pirates, who acquired him on March 25 from the Minnesota Twins for cash considerations.
He is 19-18 with a 4.05 ERA while pitching parts of three seasons with the Philadelphia Phillies and last year with the Twins. However Worley did have a nice 2011 season for the Phillies where he went 11-3 with a 3.01 ERA. But it has been all downhill since then for Worley at the major league level, including going just 1-5 with a 7.21 ERA last season with the Twins.
Pirates’ manager Clint Hurdle said Worley is a pitcher he has liked for years.
“Fastball command, a changeup that has been a go-to pitch, and he can spin the ball on occasion,” Hurdle said of Worley. “The past three or four games he pitched in the minor leagues have been crisp.”
Worley was having a pretty decent season at Triple-A, going 3-2 with a 4.30 ERA, but has pitched well as of late.
His promotion will be official tomorrow and the Pirates are expected to make another roster move Sunday to clear space for Worley.
Infielder Michael Martinez is the most likely candidate to return to Indianapolis with Josh Harrison back in the lineup on Saturday.
Photo Credit: CBS Sports
