Vance Worley to start for Pirates Sunday vs. Marlins

Needing to call up a starting pitcher to take Francisco Liriano‘s spot in the rotation on Sunday, the Pittsburgh Pirates called up right-hander Vance Worley from Triple-A Indianapolis prior to Sunday’s game against the Miami Marlins.

The promotion of Worley wasn’t much of a secret as he was the most logical candidate, especially after his Triple-A start was skipped on Friday night.

Worley will be making his debut with the Pirates, who acquired him on March 25 from the Minnesota Twins for cash considerations.

He is 19-18 with a 4.05 ERA while pitching parts of three seasons with the Philadelphia Phillies and last year with the Twins. However Worley did have a nice 2011 season for the Phillies where he went 11-3 with a 3.01 ERA. But it has been all downhill since then for Worley at the major league level, including going just 1-5 with a 7.21 ERA last season with the Twins.

Pirates’ manager Clint Hurdle said Worley is a pitcher he has liked for years.

“Fastball command, a changeup that has been a go-to pitch, and he can spin the ball on occasion,” Hurdle said of Worley.  “The past three or four games he pitched in the minor leagues have been crisp.”

Worley was having a pretty decent season at Triple-A, going 3-2 with a 4.30 ERA, but has pitched well as of late.

With his promotion the Pirates will likely return Michael Martinez to Triple-A Indianapolis to clear room on the active roster, but a move won’t be made official until closer to game time.