With All-Star outfielder Bryan Reynolds on the bereavement list, the Pittsburgh Pirates on Friday recalled infielder/outfielder Ji Hwan Bae from Triple-A Indianapolis.
Bae was batting .373/.421/.510 with two doubles, a triple, a home run and nine RBIs for the Indianapolis Indians in July. The 25-year-old South Korean batted .208 (5 for 24) in eight games with the Pirates before being placed on the injured list with a right wrist sprain.
The Pirates also activated right-handed reliever Hunter Stratton from the 15-day injured list. Stratton was 2-1 with a 4.26 ERA, 1.11 WHIP and one save while recording 30 strikeouts against five walks in 31 2/3 innings over 29 appearances before going on the IL on June 14 with a right triceps strain.
To make room on the active roster, they designated lefty reliever Josh Fleming for assignment. Fleming was 1-1 with a 4.02 ERA, 1.53 WHIP, 17 strikeouts and 14 walks in 31 1/3 innings over 25 appearances. This is the second time the Pirates have designated Fleming, after doing so May 14. He cleared waivers and was outrighted to Indianapolis.
Kevin Gorman is a TribLive reporter covering the Pirates. A Baldwin native and Penn State graduate, he joined the Trib in 1999 and has covered high school sports, Pitt football and basketball and was a sports columnist for 10 years. He can be reached at kgorman@triblive.com.