A baseball team having only four bench players is usually not an ideal situation for that team.
But for the Pittsburgh Pirates, they can afford to do so for a short time.
The bench fell short a man Wednesday after Corey Hart was placed on the 15-day disabled list and pitcher Chris Volstad took his spot on the 25-man roster. It was a much needed addition to the Pirate bullpen that combined to throw 12 1/3 third innings the previous three days.
It is a loophole that is probably used more than fans may realize – place a guy on the disabled list with an injury that may not even warrant going on it, while adding temporary aid. But it is one the Pirates are wise to use, as the versatility of the team’s position players can temporarily make up for being down a hitter.
The acquisition of Sean Rodriguez over the winter from the Tampa Bay Rays was a bit of an under-the-radar move at the time, and so far it has paid dividends for the Pirates. Rodriguez has lined up at five positions across the diamond this year, and two of the places he has yet to play – shortstop and center field – he has appeared at before in his career. Impressively, he has played in this variety of positions having yet to commit an error this year.
The other infielder the Pirates added during the off-season in Jung Ho Kang has also had a significant effect on the team’s fielding depth. Kang has seen time at both third base and shortstop this year spelling Josh Harrison and Jordy Mercer.
One of the more underrated aspects of adding Kang is it allows Harrison, who was last year’s super utility man, to be used in a number of different positions if needed. Thus far in 2015 he has lined up at second and third base, as well as both corner outfield spots, while also having seen past time at shortstop.
Pedro Alvarez is another candidate to move to the hot corner if needed, though the fans that sit behind first base may not want to worry about one of his throws possibly sailing into the seats.
And not to be overlooked, all four Pirate outfielders can be used at any of the three outfield positions, so if one got injured the team’s defensive options would not be limited.
The Pirates should not carry four bench players for the rest of the season, or even longer than a week or so at a time. Injuries happen and players need days off, and the available pinch hitter list grows ever shorter when that happens. Chris Stewart is also not much of an option as a pinch hitter, as he is the team’s only backup catcher.
But when the bullpen does get taxed, they can afford to call up a guy like Volstad to eat some innings and then return him when the relievers have gotten their rest (Volstad, though, would need to clear waivers if sent down).
After a rough start, the Pirates’ bullpen has finally settled into a group that can be relied on when called upon. Time and time again, arm injuries have occurred when pitchers are overused and fatigued, and in the middle of a playoff race it would be a huge blow if relievers start to get lost to injury.
