3 Pirates players who've already proven they don't belong on roster after May 1

With several key starters already going down with injuries during a tepid 5-8 start to the season. the Pittsburgh Pirates' depth is getting tested early – and it's not going well.

Sure, it's early, and none of the aforementioned injuries are season-ending (not yet, anyway), but they have exposed some vulnerable spots on the Pirates' roster that need to be addressed. Injuries can create opportunities for new stars to emerge; so far, none of the Pirates' backup options have seized those opportunities.

On a roster that already looks like it's been assembled with duct tape and a dream, three players in particular have done little to nothing to earn their keep in Pittsburgh beyond the end of the month.

3 Pirates players who've already proven they don't belong on roster after May 1

Alexander Canario

The Pirates acquired outfielder Alexander Canario for cash after the New York Mets designated him for assignment less than a week into the season. At 24 years old, his youth and tools make him attractive on paper; but in reality, he has done nothing to make this Pirates roster better.

Canario has managed just one hit and one walk in 15 trips to the plate, for a slash line of just .071/.133/.071, through five games with the Pirates this season. His defensive contributions have been average at best, and it's virtually impossible to argue that he deserves a roster spot over any of the other four outfielders on the Pirates' roster (six, if you count Adam Frazier and Andrew McCutchen).

Tsung-Che Cheng

Pittsburgh's No. 17 prospect according to MLB Pipeline, Tsung-Che Cheng made his MLB debut with the Pirates on Wednesday after appearing in just 11 total games at the Triple-A level between last season and this season. The reasoning behind his call-up had less to do with his readiness and more to do with the Pirates' desperate need of a shortstop.

Isiah Kiner-Falefa is the Pirates' starting shortstop. But with both of his backup options – Nick Gonzales and Jared Triolo – landing on the injured list in the opening weeks of the season, Pittsburgh needed at least a temporary solution to give Kiner-Falefa the occasional rest day and preserve his long-term health. That's why Cheng is here; he'll be back, to be sure, but his first stint in the big leagues was never meant to be a long one.

Enmanuel Valdez

The Pirates recalled Enmanuel Valdez from Triple-A Indianapolis the day after Opening Day, when Gonzales went down with a fractured foot. Valdez has a three hits, a walk and an RBI in 17 trips to the plate; but unless his bat dramatically heats up in a short amount of time, he won't move to the top of the list of Pittsburgh's utility infield options.

Valdez currently has job security based on the fact that he is one of the Pirates' only options to play first base with Spencer Horwitz and Triolo on the injured list. As soon as one of those two comes back – Triolo will likely be first – Valdez's presence on the roster will become redundant.

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