Pittsburgh Pirates DFA Evan Meek, call up 3 from Indy
By Matt Shetler
Now that the season is over for the Indianapolis Indians, the Pittsburgh Pirates will be getting more help on their big league roster from their top farm club.
July 24, 2011; Pittsburgh,PA, USA: Pittsburgh Pirates shortstop Chase d
The Bucs announced today that they recalled Chase d’Arnaud and Bryan Morris from Triple-A Indianapolis. They also selected the contract of Rick VandenHurk from Triple-A. To make room for VandenHurk on the 40-man roster, reliever Evan Meek was designated for assignment.
D’Arnaud had a .252/.325/.383 line over 98 games at Triple-A this season. He joined the big club in late August when Neil Walker was injured, but didn’t appear in a game.
Morris posted a 2.67 ERA over 81.0 innings in relief with Triple-A. Like d’Arnaud, Morris was also promoted to Pittsburgh this season, but was not used. He’s more than earned the opportunity to make his MLB debut.
VandenHurk posted a 2.92 ERA over 19 starts this season. He struck out 113 and walked just 35 over 123.1 innings. He signed as a minor-league free agent over the offseason and has pitched in the majors over the course of five seasons with the Florida Marlins and Baltimore Orioles, in which he compiled an 8-10 record and 5.97 ERA.
For a Pirates team that is in desperation mode, they are three more bodies for manager Clint Hurdle to use to try and put an end to a 19-year playoff drought.
As for Meek, the former Rule 5 pick is only two years removed from an All-Star season. However, he’s struggled in the major leagues ever since then. Meek appeared in 12 games with the Pirates this year, allowing nine runs over 12 innings with six walks.