The Pittsburgh Pirates shook up their bullpen Friday, recalling rookie right-handed reliever Cam Sanders and optioning veteran righty Jose Urquidy to Triple-A Indianapolis.
Sanders, 29, made his major league debut last summer, posting an 8.10 ERA with four strikeouts, five walks and two home runs allowed in 6 2/3 innings over six appearances. The 6-foot-2, 215-pounder had a 3.00 ERA and 1.83 WHIP with 11 strikeouts against seven walks in six innings over seven appearances at Indy this season.
“It’s awesome. Just ready to go out there, do my job, fill up the strike zone and let the fellas behind me work,” Sanders said. “I could just take away just be ready. Never expect to have an easy day here. It’s always just be locked in, be ready to work, and do whatever you can that day to get the job done for the fellas.
The 30-year-old Urquidy was signed to a one-year contract worth $1.5 million in a bid for a spot in the starting rotation. He made the Opening Day roster as a long reliever but struggled in that role, going 0-1 with an 8.53 ERA, 2.68 WHIP and six strikeouts against two walks in 6 1/3 innings over five appearances for the Pirates.
Pirates manager Don Kelly said the plan is for Urquidy, who struggled when pitching on back-to-back days against the Chicago Cubs and Washington Nationals this week, to lengthen out so he can return to the starting rotation or be better prepared for a bulk relief role.
“Cam’s been throwing the ball well down there, with a bunch of punchouts. Being able to get him up here in more of a bullpen role where Jose’s used to starting,” Kelly said. “When we see Jose again down the line, I’m not saying that’s going to be in the rotation but looking to lengthen him out in Indy then get him back up, whether that’s in the bulk or in the rotation up here remains to be seen.”