The Pittsburgh Pirates made the recalls of Eric Fryer, Jeff Locke, Justin Wilson, and the selection of the contracts of Brock Holt and Chris Leroux official. It was reported late last night of these moves.
Fryer provides Manager Clint Hurdle flexibility as the club’s third catcher. It can give him more opportunities to pinch-hit Michael McKenry if Rod Barajas gets the start behind the dish. Fryer hit .204 over 65 games at Triple-A. Fryer went 1-for-3 in his short trip the Majors earlier this season.
Locke has put together an impressive season at Triple-A posting a 2.48 ERA over 24 starts with Indy, and striking out 131 batters over 141.2 frames. Locke tossed 4.1 scoreless frames in the Majors this season in long relief for the club. The left-hander could get the start on Tuesday in Pittsburgh in place of former Bucco Erik Bedard’s vacant spot in the rotation.
Wilson was recently moved into the bullpen in Triple-A, which gives the Pirates another lefty in relief. He allowed just one run on three hits over 4.1 frames since the change in his role with just one walk and eight strikeouts. Wilson made his Major League debut in San Diego and struck out the side, while also allowing two hits, in a scoreless frame.
Holt started the season in Double-A, but after posting a .322 average over 102 games was promoted to Triple-A. There, he’s put up an impressive .432/.406/.453 line over 24 games. With the addition of Holt, it allows Hurdle another option in the infield at short or second base. Neil Walker is currently sidelined with a low back injury. It is Holt’s first trip to the Majors.
Leroux started the season on the 60-day disabled list after suffering a right strained pectoral muscle during the exhibition series in Philadelphia. After rehabbing in the minors, the club designated the right-hander for assignment. But since joining Triple-A, Leroux has served in both long relief and was recently starting in Indianapolis. Leroux tossed 21.2 frames in relief (3.32 ERA) and 42.0 frames (3.00 ERA) as a starter. Leroux provides flexibility in the bullpen with the ability to spot start, or come in for length.
