Pittsburgh Pirates Make Latest Roster Moves Official

Jul 8, 2016; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates relief pitcher A.J. Schugel (31) pitches against the Chicago Cubs during the ninth inning at PNC Park. The Pirates won 8-4. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 8, 2016; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates relief pitcher A.J. Schugel (31) pitches against the Chicago Cubs during the ninth inning at PNC Park. The Pirates won 8-4. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports /
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For the second time this week, the Pittsburgh Pirates have shaken Yo their bullpen

As was first reported by multiple outlets last night, the Pittsburgh Pirates have added a pair of right-handed relief pitchers to their 25-man roster. These pitchers are Edgar Santana and A.J. Schugel. These moves were made in an effort to bolster a struggling and overused Pirate bullpen.

Schugel played a big role in the Pirate bullpen last season. As for Santana, this is his first ever taste of Major League action. Entering the season, Edgar Santana was the organization’s top relief pitching prospect.

To make room on the 25-man roster, the Pirates optioned Dovydas Neverauskas and the struggling Tyler Glasnow to Triple-A. This creates an open spot in the Pirate rotation.

Odds are, this spot will be filled by a returning Jameson Taillon this week.

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To be honest, promoting Santana and Schugel are a pair of moves that should have happened already. Both of them are better bullpen options for the Pittsburgh Pirates than relievers such as Antonio Bastardo, Dovydas Neverauskas, Johnny Barbato, and Josh Lindblom, all of whom have spent time in the Majors this season.

Edgar Santana was not on the 40-man roster. To make room for him, the Pirates designated right-handed reliever Pat Light for assignment.

Pirate fans should be very excited about Edgar Santana. He has a plus fastball, and an absolutely deadly slider. He and Felipe Rivero have the potential to give the Pirates one of the best bullpen duos in the National League for a long time.

As for A.J. Schugel, he should also be a solid addition to the Pirate bullpen. As Pirate fans saw last year, Schugel can be a very effective reliever at the Major League level. His change up was one of the best pitches in all of baseball last season.