Pittsburgh Pirates News: Tucupita Marcano Activated, Yu Chang DFA’d

ST LOUIS, MO - JUNE 13: Tucupita Marcano #30 of the Pittsburgh Pirates at bat against the St. Louis Cardinals at Busch Stadium on June 13, 2022 in St Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Joe Puetz/Getty Images)
ST LOUIS, MO - JUNE 13: Tucupita Marcano #30 of the Pittsburgh Pirates at bat against the St. Louis Cardinals at Busch Stadium on June 13, 2022 in St Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Joe Puetz/Getty Images) /
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Prior to the start of Thursday night’s game against the Milwaukee Brewers the Pittsburgh Pirates activated Tucupita Marcano off the IL and designated Yu Chang for assignment

As the Pittsburgh Pirates continue to get played back from the injured list the latest move was made Thursday afternoon. This move saw the Pirates activated Tucupita Marcano off the COVID IL. To make room for Marcano on the roster, Yu Chang was designated for assignment.

Prior to going on the COVID IL Marcano appeared to be carving out a role with the Pittsburgh Pirates. In 68 MLB plate appearances this season Marcano has hit for a .262/.318/.410 slash line to go with a 106 wRC+ and a 106 OPS+.

At just 22-years-old Marcano was turning heads defensively as well. He has a +2 Outs Above Average at second base this season. Marcano played a strong second base, which included making multiple above average plays.

Even though Marcano is not in the starting lineup on Thursday night, he should be the every day second baseman for the Pirates moving forward. Marcano could play himself into being a long-term answer for the Pirates at second base, and playing him there every day is the only way to find out if he is.

As for Chang, he has struggled mightily this season. Between the Pittsburgh Pirates and Cleveland Guardians he has 59 MLB PAs this Eason. Chang has hit for a .135/.237/.212 slash line to go with a wRC+ of 37 and an OPS+ of 30. He also struck out in an alarming 42.4% of his trips to the plate.

Next. Minor League Roundup: 6/29/22. dark

This is far from the last roster moving coming for the Pirates in the coming days. Duane Underwood Jr. is in the Pirate clubhouse and it appears he will return from the COVID IL tomorrow. Fellow reliever Dillon Peters should be back in the next few days, and Yoshi Tsutsugo, Kevin Newman and Ben Gamel should all wrap up their rehab assignments soon. Also, Zach Thompson is expected to return from the IL to start on Sunday.