Pirates call up trade deadline prize to join roster vs Red Sox

The Pittsburgh Pirates are calling up infielder Cam Devanney from Triple-A Indianapolis ahead of Saturday's game against the Boston Red Sox. The move, first reported by Jose Negron of DK Pittsburgh Sports, will correspond with Ronny Simon's placement on the injured list after suffering a brutal shoulder injury during Friday's series opener.

The Pirates acquired Devanney in the July 16 trade that sent Adam Frazier to the Kansas City Royals. Despite having his contract selected by the Royals prior to the trade, he has yet to appear in an MLB game.

In 103 Triple-A games split between Omaha and Indianapolis this season, Devanney has slashed .266/.353/.493 with an .846 OPS, 20 home runs, 20 doubles and 66 RBI. Most of his minor league experience has come at shortstop, though he does have 41 innings of experience playing in left field. 

Devanney will presumably take the active roster spot vacated by Simon, who had just been recalled from Indianapolis on Friday when Jack Suwinski was placed on the injured list.

Pirates call up trade acquisition Cam Devanney ahead of Saturday's game vs Red Sox

Devanney has hit .256 with a .688 OPS, two homers and 11 RBI over 34 games at Triple-A Indianapolis since the trade. This marks a sharp downturn in his offensive production he had while slashing .272/.366/.565 with Triple-A Omaha this season prior to the trade.

In addition to backfilling a roster hole created by Simon's injury, Devanney's call-up could also be a hint that the Pirates are expecting Isiah Kiner-Falefa to be claimed off outright waivers before Sept. 1. Pittsburgh placed the Gold Glove infielder on waivers Friday morning, but since he has not been designated for assignment, he can continue to play for the Pirates until another team claims him.

Kiner-Falefa had a rough go of it in Friday's series opener against the Red Sox, allowing an unearned run to score when he committed a throwing error that allowed Masataka Yoshida to come around to tag from second.

Devanney will make his Major League debut whenever he appears in his first game for the Pirates, but he will likely join the club as bench depth until Kiner-Falefa is claimed.