The Pittsburgh Pirates have picked up Los Angeles Angels pitcher Josh Wall off waivers and assigned him to AAA Indianapolis. To make room on the 40-man roster, pitcher Phil Irwin has been designated for assignment.
Wall has pitched parts of three seasons in the majors, including two games for the Angels this year. In one inning over two appearances, Wall got hit hard, allowing six runs on five hits and three walks. He also had a difficult time last year with the Dodgers, giving up 17 hits and six walks in seven innings, leading to an 18.00 ERA in six appearances. He is a 27-year-old righty that stands 6’6″, 215 pounds. Wall was a second round pick of the Dodgers in 2005 out of HS. He pitched eight times in AAA this year, with a 4.22 ERA in 10.2 innings. Wall is a hard-thrower that has reached triple digits with his fastball and he mixes in a hard slider.
Irwin began the year as a starter in AAA, then quickly moved to the bullpen, where he has not had any success. He has an 8.22 ERA in 21.2 innings, allowing 27 hits, four homers and 10 walks, to go along with 18 strikeouts.
These moves amount to trading one struggling 27-year-old right-hander for another, although the Pirates would assuredly like to have Irwin clear waivers and return to Indianapolis.
