PITTSBURGH, Pa. — Prior to the game on Monday, the Pirates optioned right-hander Phil Irwin back to Triple-A Indianapolis and recalled outfielder Alex Presley. The move balanced the roster back to 12 pitchers and 13 position players, but Manager Clint Hurdle elected to bring up Presley, who is an outfielder rather than fill the void of infielder Josh Harrison.
“We looked at the schedule and [we are facing] all right-handed pitchers with the exception of [Atlanta Braves starter Paul] Maholm, who is not a traditional left-on-left,” Hurdle said. “How we want to set our bench, how we want to set our in game decisions. We felt we were stronger with another left-handed bat. A speed guy, lead off an inning, come out late. Maybe spot [Starling] Marte for a day if we need it. We just thought Presley could bring more at the time right now than an infielder could.”
With now six players that can play in the outfield and just one backup infielder (John McDonald), Hurdle said he felt comfortable throwing catcher Russell Martin to third base if needed. Gaby Sanchez can also play the hot corner as well.
“We did talk about a couple other guys, but at the end of the day, we like adding Presley. Russell Martin could go to third base tonight if we needed him. He’s played in the big leagues at third base…We’ve talked about this. He knows that he’s capable of. If I need an in game adjustment there, I can with him there, [Michael] McKenry behind the plate and I think we’re good. You hold your breath that McKenry doesn’t go down. That’s what McDonald’s around for. He’ll throw the gear on in a heartbeat and go back there. It’s probably closer to a matchup. It’s getting the best player up here right now.”
After breaking camp with the Pirates in 2012, Presley was cut before the club headed to Pittsburgh in late March. The outfielder had a good spring, hitting .304 over 25 games. When he was sent to the minors, Presley said they didn’t really give him anything specifically to work on, but to continue being himself and he would be back in the Majors when an opportunity opened up.
“I just went down from spring and worked on some stuff,” Presley said. “I played well and that was the goal to get back. It feels good to be back. Real good. No complaints. I did everything I wanted to do and it got me back…Honestly they said keep playing the way I was playing in the spring. I know what I can do. And they know that. They saw that in spring training. Just said to go down and play well and the opportunity would come and that’s what happened.”
Having dealt with spending the season between Triple-A and the Majors over the past several seasons, Presley said he is better equipped now to handle it and understands that it’s a business decision even though he admitted it can be frustrating.
“I’m happy with the way that I performed for myself,” Presley said. “Some things aren’t in your control. If I worry about those, that will effect what I have to do on the field. There’s always a little bit of frustration, but you do what you can and you play well and believe things are going to open up for you. Last year was up and down for me as well, so I’m not a stranger to something like that happening. Definitely more prepared this year to handle that type of thing. I like the way I responded to it.”
How long Presley is with the Pirates is to be determined. Infielder Brandon Inge isn’t too far from being ready to help out at the Major League level. The veteran, who is rehabbing a right scapula fracture, is getting his at-bats with the Indians like a normal player would in spring training. Since Inge was coming off offseason surgery when he signed with the Pirates, he didn’t have a true spring training.
“We’re talking about taking the full complimented time,” Hurdle said. “I’ve talked with him personally. He’s not at an urgency. He’s not pushing the envelope. He’s getting good work done and getting good results. The most important thing for Inge is to get back here and be ready to contribute. We don’t need another guy playing catch-up here or trying to do too much.”
“Brandon’s had a cluster of at-bats that we wanted,” General Manager Neal Huntington said. “Brandon’s spring was basically rehab coming off the shoulder injury. Never really had the chance to get a cluster of at-bats, then got hit in the shoulder blade and had the small fracture there. But he is swinging the bat. The overall numbers are not good. He got off to a tough start, but the quality at-bats are better.
“He is now going through his spring training unfortunately for Brandon and for us. He’s getting much closer. We still want to make sure we put him in a position to come up here and help us right away off the bench, rather it’s a pinch-hit role or versatility for Clint. He’s moving along and making good progress.”
Rodriguez expected to make his next start
Wandy Rodriguez is expected to make his next start on April 19th, Huntington said on Sunday. The left-hander, who exited his last outing early due to a hamstring strain is getting to a much better place. The Pirates elected to go with a spot starter on Sunday against the Reds. If Rodriguez isn’t able to go his next turn in the rotation, Huntington said a DL move would be made retroactive to his last start.
“Wandy came to the ballpark [Saturday] with every intent of being our starter [on Sunday],” Huntington said. “Went through a flat ground progression. Threw a few pitches off the mound and still felt it. At this point in time to miss one start, to avoid the risk of missing [several] starts if there is something more to it, we thought it was the best decision. We have every expectation to make his next start. If not, we can DL him and he still will only miss the two starts. He’s making great progress. He feels good. Heaven forbid if he has to miss that start on the 19th, he’d go on the DL but still be eligible to pitch on the 24th.”
Liriano, Contreras make rehab starts
Francisco Liriano (broken arm) and Jose Contreras (tommy john surgery) made rehab starts for High-A Bradenton on Monday getting closer to being ready to join the Pirates pitching staff. Liriano tossed three perfect frames striking out six. Contreras threw two innings and allowed two runs on two hits with a walk and a strikeout.
