Pittsburgh Pirates to Make a Roster Move Today

At least one roster move is on its way from the Pittsburgh Pirates later this afternoon

After last night’s 12 inning affair the Pittsburgh Pirates have a short bullpen. A.J. Schugel, Dovydas Neverauskas, Joaquin Benoit, and Juan Nicasio all figure to be unavailable tonight. Also, due to health reasons, George Kontos might be unavailable as well.

For these reasons, the Pittsburgh Pirates need to add a reliever to the roster today. Right-handed reliever Edgar Santana will rejoin the Pirates this afternoon. However, it is possible that this is not the team’s only move.

This will be Santana’s second stint with the Pirates this season. His first time up with the big club Santana owned a 5.87 ERA, 4.05 FIP, and a 3.99 xFIP in 7 2/3 innings pitched. He allowed one home run, walked five, and struck out 12.

Edgar Santana possesses a plus fastball and a wipeout slider. At Tripe-A this season he has been excellent averaging 8.13 K/9, 2.08 BB/9, and 0.69 HR/9 in 52 innings pitched. His ERA at Triple-A is 2.77 and his FIP is 3.33. Edgar Santana is a big part of the future of the Pirate bullpen and the next five weeks could be a good audition for him for next season.

To make room for Santana on the roster the Pirates should designate Joaquin Benoit for assignment. However, this will not happen. Instead, they will almost certainly make one of two moves.

Either George Kontos will be placed on the disabled list after hurting his leg while warming up on Sunday. If not, then, odds are, Dovydas Neverauskas will be optioned back to Triple-A. If the ladder were to happen, Neverauskas will return to Pittsburgh when rosters expand in September. Like Santana, Neverauskas is a big part of the future of the Pirate bullpen.

Next: Steven Brault is Transitioning to a Relief Role

If Kontos goes on the disabled list, then there is a chance the Pirates make a pair of roster moves. They could potentially put Kontos on the disabled list, option Neverauskas, recall Santana, and also add another reliever. Most likely, this reliever would be Steven Brault. We will have to wait until later this afternoon to see how things shake out.