The Pittsburgh Pirates have added right-handed pitcher Cody Bolton to their active roster ahead of Wednesday’s game. Bryan Reynolds has also rejoined the Pirates, returning from the Bereavement List.
To make room on the active roster, pitcher Wil Crowe has been placed on the 15-day Injured List, and Canaan Smith-Njigba has been optioned to Indianapolis.
The 24-year-old Bolton was a sixth round pick of the Pirates out of high school in 2017. He developed quickly as a starting pitcher, before getting sidetracked by multiple injuries and the lost 2020 season, though he was at the Pirates Alternate Training Site that year. He missed all of 2021, then returned in a long relief/starter role with Indianapolis last year.
Bolton had a 3.09 ERA, 82 strikeouts and a 1.28 WHIP in 75.2 innings last year. His downside was 40 walks during that time. He has improved this year in a shorter relief role, posting a 2.38 ERA, 14 strikeouts and an 0.88 WHIP in 11.1 innings with Indianapolis.
Ryan Palencer recently wrote about Bolton embracing his bullpen role.
Reynolds missed three days/two games for the Pirates. He has been at the center stage during that time though, signing a deal that will keep him in Pittsburgh through at least 2030.
Crowe is out with right shoulder discomfort. He has made just five appearances this season, posting a 4.66 ERA, a 1.86 WHIP and nine strikeouts in 9.2 innings.
Smith-Njigba has really struggled, which has led to limited time recently. He’s hitting .125/.216/.219 in 37 plate appearances over 14 games this year. He made the Pirates Opening Day roster this year despite having extremely limited MLB time, while missing the second half of 2022 due to injury. This move will allow him to get regular at-bats with Indianapolis.
The Pirates still need to open up a 40-man roster spot for Bolton. So check back for that update.
UPDATE: Tyler Heineman has been designated for assignment to clear a spot on the 40-man roster. That’s an interesting choice by the Pirates considering he’s their third-string catcher and Endy Rodriguez in on the Injured List. The only active catcher on the Indianapolis roster right now is Grant Koch, who is more of a fill-in at the Triple-A level. He had some major issues at Altoona in the past.
So for the time being, there’s no actual third-string option for the big league club, and Indianapolis doesn’t have a starter.
While there hasn’t been an update on Rodriguez, he is eligible to come off of the IL on Friday. Not saying he will, but just that it’s the first day he can return.
UPDATE II: Just found out that catcher Dylan Shockley has moved up to Indianapolis. He gives them a strong defensive catching option, but he has limited at-bats in full-season ball over the last three years (four including the lost 2020 season).
