With the concern with Andrew McCutchen from yesterday and the need for another outfielder, the Pittsburgh Pirates will call up outfielder Gorkys Hernandez from Indianapolis. Information on the transaction came via various sources on Twitter and was confirmed this morning.
In his second stint with the Pirates organization, Hernandez has found the stroke at the plate to go with his strong defensive prowess.
While there was some speculation that Jaff Decker would be the outfielder who got the promotion, it appears that Hernandez was the selection instead.
With Indianapolis this season, Hernandez hit .275 with a .775 OPS. This included 12 doubles, three triples and five home runs.
Hernandez spent some time in 2012 with the Pirates, but was only able to hit .083 before being included in the Gaby Sanchez deal to the Marlins. While he hit .212 there, he was not able to stick.
I spoke with Hernandez earlier in the season, who discussed his new swing and approach. This has been a key to his progression and ultimately his call up.
After having a career year with Indianapolis, Hernandez will get another shot with the Pirates. The speed and defense has been there all along and is still present this year at a big league level. The only question is whether the offense has progressed enough for him to stay.
The corresponding roster and 40 man move is unclear at this point.
UPDATE 11:14 AM: Jose Tabata has been designated for assignment, so there is the corresponding move for the active and 40-man roster. Tabata will certainly go unclaimed, and will be outrighted to Indianapolis. It also appears that there will be another move, since Chris Volstad was clearing out his locker. – Tim
UPDATE 12:05 PM: Steve Lombardozzi will be the other guy coming up for the corresponding move for Volstad. The set of moves means that the Pirates no longer have an extra bullpen arm. Also, as I noted on Twitter earlier, today marks the first time that Gorkys Hernandez, Jeff Locke, and Charlie Morton have all been on the Pirates together. All three were acquired in 2009 in the Nate McLouth trade. It’s fitting that this comes against the Braves, with Locke pitching. – Tim
UPDATE 12:49 PM: The Pirates have officially announced the moves. – Tim
