Pittsburgh Pirates Call-Up Jeff Clement
By Matt Shetler
As expected, the Pittsburgh Pirates are shaping up their roster for the final 38 games of the season and made another move today by recalling infielder Jeff Clement and optioned infielder Yamaico Navarro back to Triple-A.
Navarro really had no business being on a major league roster at this point in the season, so the Pirates strengthened their bench by adding Clement’s bat.
Clement, who was the Bucs opening day first baseman in 2010, has hit .276 with an International League-leading 35 doubles, 16 home runs and 57 RBI in 112 games played for Indianapolis.
You can make the case that Clement should have been called up a long time ago, but now that he’s back in a Pirates uniform, his bat could prove valuable down the stretch.
Another move or two could be made in the upcoming days as a player has to be on the roster by the end of the month to be eligible for the postseason.
The Pirates also claimed reliever Hisanori Takahashi off waivers from the Angels. Takahashi owns a 3.80 career ERA in 232 innings but has struggled in 2012, allowing a 4.93 ERA in 42 innings. The issue has been six home runs allowed; his 4.1 K/BB is his best of his three-year career. A corresponding roster move on the 25-man has yet to be made.
Earlier today, the Bucs added Jordy Mercer back to the roster after he was away on paternity leave and sent Daniel McCutchen back to Triple-A.