Pittsburgh Pirates Make A Trio Of Roster Moves

Jun 16, 2016; New York City, NY, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Juan Nicasio (12) reacts after giving up a home run to New York Mets right fielder Curtis Granderson (3) in the first inning at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Noah K. Murray-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 16, 2016; New York City, NY, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Juan Nicasio (12) reacts after giving up a home run to New York Mets right fielder Curtis Granderson (3) in the first inning at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Noah K. Murray-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Pittsburgh Pirates made a trio of roster moves today in an effort to try and help a team that is banged up, undermanned, and scuffling.

The Pittsburgh Pirates have recalled infielder Jason Rogers, right-handed reliever Curtis Partch, and have purchased the contract of right-handed reliever Jorge Rondon from Triple-A Indianapolis. To make room for these players the Pittsburgh Pirates designated left-handed reliever Cory Luebke for assignment, optioned right-handed reliever Rob Scahill to Triple-A, and placed right-handed pitcher Juan Nicasio on the restricted list.

This is the second time this season that Curtis Partch has been called up by the Pittsburgh Pirates, even though he did not appear in a game the first time around. This is Jorge Rondon‘s first trip to the Major League’s this year.

As for Jason Rogers, this is trip number three to Pittsburgh this season. Rogers has 18 plate appearances for the Pittsburgh Pirates this year, and is slashing just .077/.333/.231/.564. Rogers also has a poor wOBA of .281 and wRC+ of 76. Rogers, however, once again gives the Pittsburgh Pirates a full allotment of five bench players.

Jorge Rondon has 15 1/3 career Major League innings, and they have not gone well. Rondon has a 12.33 ERA, 6.44 FIP, and a 5.73 xFIP in these 15 1/3 innings pitched. Rondon has also averaged a whooping 5.87 BB/9, while allowing an alarming 1.76 HR/9 in those innings. So he should fit right in with the current Pittsburgh Pirates bullpen!

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This season at Triple-A Rondon had a 1.91 ERA and a 3.56 FIP in 33 innings pitched for the Indians. Rondon was also averaging 6.55 K/9, 4.09 BB/9, and 0.27 HR/9 at Triple-A. So, while his control issues have persisted, at least he’s not giving up nearly as many home runs. Rondon has a fastball that averages 95.1 miles per hour, and he will pair it with a mid-to-high 80s slider.

Curtis Partch is one player that actually intrigues me as possible help for the bullpen. In 33 innings pitched at Triple-A this season Partch has been lights out. He’s averaging 10.09 K/9, 3.27 BB/9, he has not allowed a home run, and his WHIP is a sparkling 0.97.

Curtis Partch has a plus slider that should play at the Major League level. He also has a fastball that averages around 96 miles per hour. Curtis Partch has the stuff to help out the Pittsburgh Pirates bullpen, but so did Cory Luebke, it is a matter of rather or not Partch can harness that stuff.

With Juan Nicasio now on the restricted list, and the Pittsburgh Pirates have yet to announce why, they will need a starting pitcher for Tuesday night against the San Francisco Giants. Tyler Glasnow just started last night for Triple-A Indianapolis, so it will not be him. Chad Kuhl is slated to pitch for Indianapolis on Monday and Wilfredo Boscan on Tuesday, so my guess is we see one of those two Tuesday night. Personally, I hope it is Kuhl.

Right now, the Pittsburgh Pirates are at rock bottom. They are a game under .500, any hope they have of winning the National League Central Division is gone, and any hopes of securing a Wild Card spot are fading quickly. At this point, Jorge Rondon and Curtis Partch can not possibly pitch worse than guys like Cory Luebke, Juan Nicasio, Kyle Lobstein, or Arquimedes Caminero have this season. Maybe they will be able to help the bullpen. In Partch’s case I think he can, but when it comes to Rondon I am not holding my breathe.