Rosters Moves Coming For The Pittsburgh Pirates?

The Pittsburgh Pirates have had an eight man bullpen and just a four man bench for a majority of the season, but that could be changing this weekend.

According to Matt Gajtka of DK Pittsburgh Sports, the Pittsburgh Pirates will be switching from an eight man bullpen and a four man bench back to the more traditional seven man bullpen and five man bench this weekend.

With this news the question becomes, who is coming and who is going? On Twitter, I asked Matt if he believed either Kyle Lobstein or A.J. Schugel would be optioned to AAA. Both of these pitchers have options left and can be sent to AAA, so that is why they are the two obvious options.

Well, Matt said he could see both being optioned to AAA in exchange for a position player and rehabbing left-handed reliever Cory Luebke. A few days ago I wrote about how the Pittsburgh Pirates should recall Luebke to help the bullpen. So obviously I would be on board with this move.

Kyle Lobstein has really struggled out of the bullpen for the Pittsburgh Pirates this season. In 20 2/3 innings pitched he has allowed 20 hits, he’s averaging 3.92 BB/9, and only 6.10 K/9. Furthermore, his ERA (4.79), FIP (4.60), and xFIP (4.55) are all bad as well.

The left-handed Lobstein is someone who is forced to hit his spots and be crafty, as his fastball only averages 87.3 miles per hour. This is much different from Cory Luebke whose fastball averaged 92.1 miles per hour during his 3 1/3 innings pitched at the Major League level earlier in the season.

When Luebke was pitching out of the Pittsburgh Pirates bullpen before going on the disabled list he struggled mightily. In those 3 1/3 innings pitched Luebke allowed four hits, he walked five batters, struck out just two batters, and had an ERA of 8.10. However, Luebke has dominated while rehabbing at AAA Indianapolis posting a 2.92 ERA while averaging 2.19 BB/9 and 13.14 K/9 in 12 1/3 innings pitched.

As for the position player, my guess is that Cole Figueroa will make his return to the Pittsburgh Pirates. Figueroa made the team out of Spring Training, and went 0-for-9 at the plate. But Figueroa hit a lot of balls well, just right at fielders. Furthermore, he is slashing .340/.367/.532/.899 with a 167 wRC+ at AAA.

Figueroa brings great position flexibility with the ability to play the corner outfield spots, third base, shortstop, and second base. Also, if Figueroa can hit anywhere near as well as he did in Spring Training, or as he has during his Minor League career, he could be a strong bat bench as well.

Next: Jordy Merccer's Earl Season Success

It appears the Pittsburgh Pirates are ready to make some roster changes today. A position player is coming, at least one reliever is going, and Cory Luebke could be rejoining the bullpen as well. Stay tuned throughout the day for any breaking news pertaining to this.