Pittsburgh Pirates Claim Tyler Beede, Recall Rodolfo Castro

The Pittsburgh Pirates made multiple roster moves ahead of game one of their four-game series against the Cincinnati Reds

Thursday afternoon the Pittsburgh Pirates were busy. The team made a pair of roster moves ahead of kicking off their four-game series at PNC Park against the Cincinnati Reds. One of these roster moves will require another move in the coming days.

It started when news broke that the team was recalling infielder Rodolfo Castro from Triple-A Indianapolis. In fact, it was Rum Bunter’s own Kody Duncan who first reported this move on Wednesday night.

After that news broke, the team claimed a pitcher off waivers from the San Francisco Giants. The pitcher who was claimed is righty Tyler Beede. The 28-year-old Beede was the 14th overall selection in the 2014 MLB Draft.

Beede had posted a 4.66 ERA and a 5.50 FIP in 9.2 innings pitched out of the Giant bullpen this season. In his MLB career Beede owns a 5.39 ERA, 5.01 FIP, 9.7% walk rate and a 20.7% strikeout rate in 135.1 innings pitched across 33 games, 24 of which have been starts. 117 of his innings, 24 of his appearances, and 22 of his starts came during the 2019 season.

As for Castro, he has hit for a .250/.397/.402 slash line in 116 plate appearances with Triple-A Indianapolis. Castor had collected 9 extra base hits (6 doubles, 2 home runs, 1 triple) and posted a 124 wRC+ with the Indians. Castro is in the starting lineup tonight at shortstop and should plenty of playing time with the Pirates now that he has been recalled.

To make room for Castro on the active roster utility man Cole Tucker, who was also a 1st round draft pick in 2014, was optioned to Triple-A Indianapolis. Tucker has had a woeful season, hitting for a .175/.175/.222 slash line to go wit ha wRC+ of 11. He had not drawn a walk and was striking out at a 39.7% clip.

In order to clear a spot for Beede on the 40-man roster pitcher Beau Sulser was designated for assignment. Sulser made his MLB debut for the Pirates in late April, posting a 3.72 ERA, 4.57 FIP, 13.0% walk rate and a 21.7% strikeout rate in 9.2 innings pitched across 4 relief outings.

Beede is out of minor league options. As a result the Pittsburgh Pirates will have to add him to their active roster as he can not be optioned to the minors. That will require another roster move at some point in the next day or so.