The Pittsburgh Pirates have optioned Casey Sadler to Indianapolis and have recalled Brandon Cumpton, per a team press release. Sadler was called up yesterday when Andrew McCutchen was placed on the disabled list, and threw in the eighth inning of last night’s win against the Detroit Tigers. He gave up two runs on three hits, only recording two outs.
Earlier today, Ryan Palencer wrote about how Cumpton was making the transition to the bullpen. He hadn’t pitched since August 1st, then made a relief appearance in Triple-A on Sunday. Cumpton has primarily worked as a starter in his time in the majors, with 15 starts in 16 appearances. He’s got the upside to be a back of the rotation starter in the majors, although with the Pirates’ current rotation, there’s not a need for him outside of a bullpen role. He has a 4.98 ERA in 56 innings this year in the majors, although that number is inflated by one bad outing in Los Angeles. His FIP is 3.22.
Cumpton should be able to fill a lot of roles out of the bullpen, playing a role that is similar to what Jeanmar Gomez has done the last two years, although hopefully with better results than what Gomez has shown this year.
Tim started Pirates Prospects in 2009 from his home in Virginia, which was 40 minutes from where Pedro Alvarez made his pro debut in Lynchburg. That year, the Lynchburg Hillcats won the Carolina League championship, and Pirates Prospects was born from Tim's reporting along the way. The site has grown over the years to include many more writers, and Tim has gone on to become a credentialed MLB reporter, producing Pirates Prospects each year, and will publish his 11th Prospect Guide this offseason. He has also served as the Pittsburgh Pirates correspondent for Baseball America since 2019. Behind the scenes, Tim is an avid music lover, and most of the money he gets paid to run this site goes to vinyl records.
Getting Sadler safely away from the Pirates is a positive.
Geez it took long enough. I’d expected to hear that after last night’s game.
Cole making another rehab start Sunday? I guess Hurdle really wasn’t impressed with 76 pitches and one hit and wants to see that 100 pitch game.
Good.
Take out the LA debacle and BC is very good in 1st inning, which hopefully translates to being effective in the pen.