The Pittsburgh Pirates have promoted right-handed pitcher Phil Irwin to Indianapolis, according to Cory Giger. Irwin has put up impressive numbers this year, with a 2.93 ERA in 104.1 innings with Altoona, along with an 83:17 K/BB ratio. In his last ten starts he has a 2.00 ERA in 63 innings, with a 56:10 K/BB ratio, and six of his 14 earned runs came during the first start in that stretch.
Irwin started in Bradenton last year, and was promoted to Altoona after ten starts in high-A. Once he moved to Altoona he started working more off a sinker. That’s led to a lot of success, including a 1.64 GO/AO ratio this year. He will join an Indianapolis rotation that is bound for the playoffs, giving him about a month of experience in Triple-A to finish the year.
Indianapolis just lost Daniel Cabrera after he was traded to Arizona, so there’s a spot open in the rotation. Jeff Locke was just demoted today, which adds another starting option. That combination could allow Justin Wilson to move to the bullpen in order to get ready to play in the majors later this year.