The Pittsburgh Pirates optioned left-handed pitcher Steven Brault to Indianapolis prior to Friday’s game with the St Louis Cardinals. They have recalled right-handed reliever Dovydas Neverauskas to take his place in the bullpen.
Brault has been the long-man for the Pirates all season, serving most of the year as the only lefty in the bullpen besides Felipe Vazquez. He also had some starts early in the year, though the last one was back in April. Brault has a 4.57 ERA, a 1.71 WHIP and 45 strikeouts in 43.1 innings over 26 relief appearances this season. July was by far his worst month of the season and he didn’t do well in his appearance back on Wednesday to start this month.
Neverauskas has been pitching well all season in Indianapolis, but that success has not carried over the majors. He has a 1.14 ERA and 50 strikeouts in 39.1 innings in Triple-A and an 11.85 ERA, 2.12 WHIP and a .339 BAA in 13.2 innings over 13 appearances with the Pirates. This will be his fourth stint in the majors this season.
