Pittsburgh Pirates Place Juan Cruz on 15-Day DL
By Matt Shetler
The Pittsburgh Pirates made a roster move before Saturday’s game against the Miami Marlins, placing right-hander Juan Cruz on the 15-Day D.L. with inflammation in his right shoulder.
Cruz has been a big part of the Pirates bullpen, which has the second-best ERA in the majors at 2.64.
The journeyman right-hander has been very good through stretches, posting a 2.61 ERA in 31.0 innigs pitched. However since June, Cruz has allowed six earned runs, 12 hits and nine walks in 12.1 inning pitched. Cruz has been a weapon for manager Clint Hurdle to this point, but despite striking out 16 batters in those 12.1 innings, Cruz has been wearing down as of late.
With Cruz on the disabled list, the club has re-called right-hander Evan Meek, which I don’t know is a great move or not.
Meek pitched in 10 games earlier in the season and was hit hard early on, posting a 7.59 ERA before being sent down to Triple-A.
The former All-Star has seemed to put it together in the minors though, going 3-2 with a 2.21 ERA in 36.2 IP.