About a month ago, Vic Black was placed on the Indianapolis Indians disabled list with a left-oblique injury. The right-hander was activated from the disabled list today. The Pirates probably won’t have any immediate need for Black. They’ve got Duke Welker and Ryan Reid in the majors right now, and one of those two will probably go down when Jeanmar Gomez is activated on Wednesday. Another one could go down if James McDonald is activated and sent to the bullpen on Thursday.
If the Pirates face some injuries, Black could provide some value as a replacement option, since he throws in the mid-to-upper 90s and can touch 100 with a plus wipeout slider. As I wrote the other day, the big value he could provide would be in September. Between Black, Duke Welker, Justin Wilson, and Stolmy Pimentel, the Pirates could have four relievers in their bullpen in September who can hit 98 MPH or better with a plus breaking pitch.
To make room for Black, Oscar Tejeda was sent to Altoona.
