The Pirates made several roster moves today. They recalled catcher Henry Davis, outfielder Jack Suwinski, and infielder Liover Peguero from Triple-A Indianapolis. They also selected the contract of right-handed reliever Ben Heller from Indianapolis. In corresponding moves, they placed infielder/outfielder Ji Hwan Bae on the 10-day injured list due to a right wrist sprain, retroactive to June 3. Additionally, outfielder Michael A. Taylor went on the paternity list, creating another roster opening, while left-hander Jose Hernandez was optioned to Triple-A and catcher Grant Koch was designated for assignment.
Furthermore, the club reinstated catcher Jason Delay from the 60-day IL and optioned him to Triple-A. To make room for him on the 40-man roster, left-hander Marco Gonzales was transferred to the 60-day IL.
News of Davis’s recall surfaced over the weekend, and manager Derek Shelton confirmed details about Suwinski, Peguero, Bae, and Taylor during a conversation on 93.7 The Fan, as reported by Noah Hiles of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
Davis, the No. 1 overall pick from the 2021 draft, returns to the majors after spending a little over a month in Triple-A. He had a rough start to 2024 with a .162/.280/.206 line in 83 plate appearances and has struggled overall in his MLB career, posting a .201/.297/.319 line. However, he impressed during his stint in Indianapolis, hitting .296/.436/.642 with seven home runs and seven doubles in 101 plate appearances.
Davis is known as a bat-first catching prospect, and despite his early struggles, there is optimism that he will improve. With Joey Bart now joining fellow catcher Endy Rodriguez on the injured list, Davis will have a clear opportunity to prove himself at the MLB level.
Suwinski returns after a week in the minors, where he hit .250/.276/.429 in seven games but struggled with a 44.8% strikeout rate. Bae’s injury created an outfield need, prompting Suwinski’s recall.
Heller, 32, has a 3.06 ERA in 50 major league innings but has a below-average 20.9% strikeout rate and an 11.8% walk rate. This year in Indianapolis, he has posted a 43% strikeout rate in 18 1/3 innings, despite a 4.91 ERA.
Koch was recently called up for his MLB debut but did not collect a hit in eight at-bats. The Pirates have a week to trade him, attempt to pass him through outright waivers, or release him.
Delay has been a significant part of the Pirates’ roster over the past two seasons, hitting .251/.319/.347 in 2022. Although seen primarily as a backup catcher, the Pirates are looking to give Davis more opportunities.
Gonzales’ move to the 60-day IL is procedural, as he has been on the 15-day IL since April 14 with a strained left forearm muscle and may not return until the second half of the season.
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