With rosters needing to be cut to 28 players by noon Thursday, the Pirates optioned Jose Osuna and Guillermo Heredia to their alternate training camp in Altoona, Pa. after Wednesday's game.
A need for pitching was the driving reason for the decision to option two position players.
"Especially with Bru [JT Brubaker] starting [Thursday]," Shelton said postgame Wednesday. "And then we still have the piggyback [Steven Brault and Chad Kuhl]. We need the innings. And when you have guys that are option-able, sometimes moves like these happen."
The Pirates currently have 15 pitchers on the roster, including nine in the bullpen. They will carry 13 position players, which was going to be the traditional amount this season before the roster expansion.
Osuna has slashed .158/.238/.316 with one home run and four RBIs over 21 plate appearances this year. While he started three of the first four games of the season -- including as the designated hitter opening day -- he had rarely been used since then. While he can play all four corner positions, Osuna is best at first base. Colin Moran has made multiple starts at first instead, signaling he is the new backup there.
Heredia signed as a major-league free agent this offseason, with his ability to play three outfield positions being a selling point. However, with utilityman JT Riddle being activated off the 10-day injured list Wednesday and Cole Tucker showing he can play multiple outfield positions, the Pirates opted to send him down instead.
Major-league rosters will stay at 28 players for the rest of the year. Additionally, taxi squads will be increased from three to five players.
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