The Pirates announced a batch of roster moves prior to tonight’s game. Catcher Austin Hedges was placed on the seven-day concussion injured list. Fellow catcher Tyler Heineman was selected to take his active roster spot. In order to open a spot for Heineman on the 40-man, right-hander Edwin Uceta was designated for assignment. Additionally, outfielder Ryan Vilade, who was designated for assignment last week, cleared waivers and was assigned to Triple-A Indianapolis.
Hedges, 30, has long been considered one of the game’s better defensive backstops, though he doesn’t provide much on offense. His career batting line of .189/.247/.330 amounts to a wRC+ of 54, indicating he’s been 46% below league average at the plate. But he’s racked up 75 Defensive Runs Saved since debuting in 2015, the highest total in the majors during that stretch. He signed with the Bucs in the offseason for one year and $5MM, a sensible match given that he could work with the rebuilding club’s young pitching staff.
It’s unclear exactly how Hedges sustained this concussion, but the club will have to proceed without him for at least the next week. Jason Delay is already on the roster and Heineman will now join him to form the club’s catching duo for the time being. Heineman, 32 in June, has 82 games of major league experience with a .214/.279/.276 batting line and +6 DRS. Both he and Delay have options, so either could be sent to the minors when Hedges returns.
Uceta, 25, has changed jerseys quite a few times in the past little while. The Pirates just claimed him off waivers from the Tigers two days ago, with the latter club claiming him off waivers from the Diamondbacks in January. He spent just one year in Arizona, as that club claimed him off waivers from the Dodgers at the end of the 2021 season. He posted a 5.82 ERA for the Snakes last year and a 4.86 mark for their Triple-A club. He only struck out 17.8% of hitters he faced in the big leagues but he had a 32.7% rate in the minors, though that came with a 14% walk rate. The Pirates will now have a week to trade him or try to pass him through waivers.
Vilade, who just turned 24 in February, has just seven plate appearances of experience in the big leagues, which came with the Rockies in 2021. He struck out once and walked once without recording a hit. A career .281/.357/.410 hitter in the minor leagues, Vilade has experience at each of shortstop, third base, first base, and the three outfield spots during his minor league career. In addition to his positional versatility, Vilade’s fairly low strikeout rate (17.4%) and solid walk rate (10.0%) in the minor leagues indicate a potentially valuable bench piece at the big league level, but for now he’ll wait for an opportunity with the Pirates at Triple-A. As a player with less than three years of big league service time who has not yet been outrighted in his career, Vilade cannot reject his outright assignment.
I wish they could have figured out a way to designate Vilade again instead.
Even though Ryan has only played LF in the majors, he is young, has some speed and popin the bat and has more innings in the infield than outfield. I hope the Pirates test him out as a utility player in AAA.
With Uceta now off the 40 man roster, who will be replacing Brubaker in the rotation?
On a side note, weak hitting Jason Delay connected on a home run last night which actually impressed me. Choi on the other hand I believe was a wasted trade. And of course there’s Castro. He strikes out and swings at pitches not even close to the plate far too often
Does anyone know what happened to Castillo?
Castillo was traded a few weeks back for a prospect Scott Randall who will probably start with Altoona this year. Also, Brubaker will probably be replaced with Johan Oviedo from the Quintana trade. As for Choi, I wonder if they would have done better with Dominic Smith?
Castillo was traded to Arizona for RHP Scott Randall. Brubaker already has been replace by Johan Oviedo. He started as night. Had a very rough 1st then was lights out for 3 2/3 after that.
He gave up 5 runs in 4 2/3 innings, walked 4 and struck out 4
Not very impressive
Actually, as Roberto stated, that stat line almost entirely came from the 1st inning. He *was* impressive beyond that point
I think Castro will be sent down before long He has no idea of the strike zone and is not a good fielder. For the time being Owings should be brought up. At some point ,hopefully Gonzo is ready.
@YourDreamGM will tell me it’s all about player control but it’s baffling, what this team does
Gonzalez had a nice spring. Castro didn’t hit the Mendoza line. So keep Castro and send Gonzalez down? It’s all about financial control
Swaggerty had a nice spring but they keep Joe. Same story
I feel sorry that Brubaker may be done
I don’t see Rich Hill or VV providing a great deal of help as starters. And the Pirates have several pitchers who are almost ready to come up
But it’s all about financial control
Shame
Castro is a bum. Couldn’t hit himself out of a paper bag
Poor Uceta. He was completely ineffective as a Pirate. 🙁 I still hope he stays within the system though.
I must’ve not been paying attention when Castillo was traded, thanks for the information
Choi, like Castro, tends to swing at every pitch thrown no matter where the location is
Uceta didn’t last long
Thrower
Jack Suwinsky should have been sent to Indy and Swaggerty promoted to the majors
With the former it’s either striking out or can’t drive in runs with runners in scoring position
Hayes doesn’t impress me either