The Pittsburgh Pirates made some minor league moves today, so we will go over them here and add any others if something comes up later on.
Hunter Owen was activated from the injured list in Indianapolis. He has been out since June 24th when he took a hit-by-pitch on his hand. Owen was tearing up the Eastern League with Altoona before being promoted to Indianapolis on June 20th. He was off to a slow start during his brief stint before the injury, going 2-for-16 with two singles, no walks and seven strikeouts.
Right-handed pitcher John O’Reilly has been promoted to Bradenton. While in Greensboro, he posted a 2.15 ERA in 29.1 innings over 20 appearances, with ten walks, 17 strikeouts and a 1.53 WHIP. O’Reilly signed as a non-drafted free agent last year, coming out of Rutgers as a starter, where his fastball hit 91 MPH. This spring he started hitting 95 MPH as a reliever and showing improvements with his cutter, which is now sitting where his fastball used to sit. Recently O’Reilly has touched higher, hitting 96 MPH when I saw him in Lakewood.
Matt Eardensohn goes from the Bradenton bullpen down to Bristol, though it’s not the demotion it seems. After signing as a non-drafted free agent this year, he went to the GCL to pitch. When Bradenton placed Logan Stoelke and Braeden Ogle (scheduled rest) on the injured list recently, Eardensohn went across town to help them cover some innings. So while technically he is dropping three levels with this move, it’s actually a promotion from the GCL to Bristol. He tossed three innings without an earned run in Bradenton, which followed 5.1 shutout frames in the GCL.
Lizardy Dicent returned from a late spring injury and went on a rehab assignment in the GCL today, where he threw a shutout inning. The 22-year-old right-hander debuted in the DSL last year before hitting the GCL and Bristol all in his first season. He’s a hard-thrower, touching 96 MPH, though there are some control issues.
Wilkin Ramos, who was acquired in the Tanner Anderson trade this winter, has been placed on the injured list. The 18-year-old Ramos was pitching in long relief in the GCL this year, where he faced the Orioles in all three of his appearances and gave up three runs each time. He was wild, walking nine batters in 10.2 innings. No word yet on his injury.
Oddy Nunez was placed on the minor league 60-day injured list, ending his season. He last pitched on May 16th and was struggling throwing strikes this year. He was originally placed on the injured list with a back strain, but it appears that he is now out with a rib injury that may have been the original injury. He is the fifth minor league pitcher placed on the 60-day injured list this year following Travis MacGregor (Tommy John recovery), Zach Spears (Spring Training injury followed by Extended ST setback), Michael Flynn (last check he was possibly getting surgery following second arm/shoulder injury) and Andres Arrieta (Tommy John surgery in May).
I have some questions out on other possible moves and the injuries listed here, so check back later for likely updates.
