The Pirates announced a series of roster moves today. They recalled catcher Henry Davis, outfielder Jack Suwinski and infielder Liover Peguero from Triple-A Indianapolis. They also selected the contract of right-handed reliever Ben Heller from Indy. In one corresponding move, they placed infielder/outfielder Ji Hwan Bae on the 10-day injured list with a right wrist sprain, retroactive to June 3. Outfielder Michael A. Taylor went on the paternity list, opening another roster spot, while left-hander Jose Hernandez was optioned to Triple-A and catcher Grant Koch was designated for assignment.
Additionally, the club reinstated catcher Jason Delay from the 60-day IL and optioned him to Triple-A. To open a 40-man spot for him, left-hander Marco Gonzales was transferred to the 60-day IL.
The news on Davis was reported on the weekend. Manager Derek Shelton was on 93.7 The Fan earlier today, as relayed by Noah Hiles of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, and revealed the news about Suwinski, Peguero, Bae and Taylor.
Davis, the No. 1 overall pick from the 2021 draft, returns to the majors after spending a bit more than a month in Triple-A. He’d gotten out to not only a rough start in 2024 (.162/.280/.206 in 83 plate appearances) but to his overall big league career. The former Louisville star also struggled through 255 plate appearances last season in his debut campaign and carries a disappointing .201/.297/.319 slash to this point in the majors.
Of course, that’s a small sample of just 338 plate appearances — far too limited a data set to make any broad-reaching conclusions about Davis’ long-term outlook. He looked reinvigorated during his short time in Indianapolis, utterly laying waste to International League pitching. In 101 turns at the dish, Davis recorded an outrageous .296/.436/.642 batting line with seven home runs and seven doubles.
Davis has long been viewed as a bat-first catching prospect, which admittedly makes his early struggles at the plate concerning but also creates some optimism that he’ll eventually turn a corner in the batter’s box. The Pirates’ hope is that this brief Indy reset will be a catalyst for just such a turnaround. And with Joey Bart now joining fellow catcher Endy Rodriguez on the injured list, Davis should have a clear opportunity to prove he can carry some of those gains over to the MLB level.
Suwinski will return after just a week in the minors. He was optioned last week after struggling to a brutal .174/.268/.297 slash to begin what he hoped would be a strong follow-up to last year’s 26-homer breakout. His rate stats were better in Indianapolis, as he hit .250/.276/.429 with a homer and a triple in his seven-game sample, but Suwinski also fanned in 13 of his 29 plate appearances (44.8%). That’s not the type of progress for which he and the team were hoping, but Bae’s injury created an outfield need and forced the team’s hand.
Heller, 32, has pitched in parts of five major league seasons and has a 3.06 ERA in 50 big league innings, albeit with a below-average 20.9% strikeout rate and a hefty 11.8% walk rate. Metrics like FIP and SIERA both peg him north of 5.00. He’s benefited from some decent fortune on balls in play (.261 BABIP) and a sky-high 89% strand rate that’s about 17 percentage points higher than average.
That said, Heller has also posted genuinely intriguing numbers in Indianapolis this year — none more so than his enormous 43% strikeout rate. Through 18 1/3 frames, he’s yielded a 4.91 ERA, but most of the damage against him came in one stretch of four straight appearances in which he allowed runs. He’s since rattled off 5 2/3 shutout frames, fanning 10 opponents along the way against four walks. Command is still an issue for Heller, but his 10.1% walk rate in Triple-A is a bit better than his big league standards.
Koch was only just called to the majors for his big league debut when Bart landed on the injured list. The 27-year-old former fifth-rounder appeared in three games but did not collect a hit in eight trips to the plate. He’s a .236/.295/.362 hitter in parts of two Triple-A seasons. The Pirates will have a week to trade Koch, attempt to pass him through outright waivers, or release him.
Delay played a prominent role with the Pirates over the past couple seasons and hit .251/.319/.347 in 187 plate appearances last year. That’s respectable production for a backup catcher, but Delay is generally considered just that — a backup option behind the dish — whereas Davis is the potential future if not at catcher then perhaps at first base or in right field. The Pirates understandably want to give Davis as many opportunities as possible, and he’ll now slide back into the primary catcher role with veteran Yasmani Grandal backing him up.
As for Gonzales, his move to the 60-day IL was largely procedural. The team needed a 40-man spot to reinstate Delay, and Gonzales has been on the 15-day IL since April 14. He’ll be eligible to return later this month, but he’s yet to begin throwing. He’s out with a strained left forearm muscle and may not be back until the season’s second half at this rate.
Wow, lots of transactions, but excited to see what Heller does. His sweeper had an 78.6% whiff rate last year and he didn’t give up a single hit with the pitch. It’s the highest whiff rate any pitcher has had on any pitch in the Statcast era. The Pirates really need bullpen help, so hopefully he can bring it. Also helps he hasn’t done bat in the minors this year.
He absolutely stunk last night. The only thing that swept was the balls flying off the Dodgers bats from his pitches
If he’s the best they can scrounge up, they are in deeper trouble than I thought
Yeah he really knocked out the battero
Heller is a wasted roster spot
Welcome back to the Bigs, let’s see what you learned
Davis and Suwinski can win their jobs back easily if they show they learned how to hit again. I’ll be very interested to see what they do with Peguero because at first glance there doesn’t appear to be much of a role for him… which makes me wonder if Liover might be auditioning to replace Triolo? Gonzales has been outstanding and Cruz and Hayes aren’t going anywhere. As for Heller, everyone in the bullpen not named Holderman or Ortiz has been inconsistent at best so there’s work to be won.
Replace Triolo? Lay off the sauce
He’s the best defensive infielder they have next to Hayes
If anyone should be replaced, it’s weak hitting Alika Williams, who only achieved one hit during the entire month of May
I may be on “sauce”, but I also know that Williams is currently on the injured list. And in any event, I was suggesting a possibility, not a recommendation. Triolo has a great glove but hasn’t hit much more than Williams. Maybe they’re looking for more offense from somewhere?
There are other ideas besides your own.
I stand corrected about Williams status but stand by my opinion of his offensive play
He’s a waste of a roster spot when he’s healthy
Triolo has 3 more homers than Alika who has none and yes, Triolo isn’t the second coming of Ryne Sandberg at the plate but he has more potential than Alika
Triolo needs replaced but unfortunately Peguero doesn’t look to be up to the challenge. Triolo has the talent to be a super utility player and with Hayes back some significant time at 3b. His bat can be and should be better than what it is right now. But he would definitely be replaced right now if they had anyone to replace him. Actually was replaced with Gonzales but would be replaced again by Bae Peguero if they showed something.
Peguero played with an edge when he was here, something they sorely lacked
I liked what I saw from Triolo when he came up in September last season. A real disappointment so far
I had to laugh about someone’s comment regarding Suwinski. Unless I’m mistaken, he struck out more while at Indy than when he was here
Have to love the bottom of tonight’s batting order. Sheesh. I’ve never seen so many guys starting and not at the Mendoza Line
And I will reiterate, Cruz has no business batting cleanup. He’s too much of a free swinger that more often than not ends up being a strikeout during his plate appearances
77 now in 53 games
Yes, Tired, Jack struck out 13 times in 22 plate appearances at Indy.
I have no doubt he will continue that trend against Glasnow tonight
Peguero isn’t auditioning for anything unless he plays his way into a permanent roster spot. He’s simply the last middle infielder and best position player left on the 40 man roster available and they needed a position player.
Triolo probably isn’t going anywhere other than maybe Indy for two or three weeks to “get right” (aka have Munson fix his offense). He’s a more valuable player than almost anyone else on the roster outside of Reynolds, Hayes, and currently Nick G because of his defense.
The Suwinski hate didn’t age well. Him and Davis were the only two players that had extra base hits last night and Suwinksi’s homerun won the game.
I’m also excited to watch Heller pitch. Might have a hidden gem there and the bullpen needs a little help.
First off, “hate” is a ridiculous comment on your part. Given the boos we hear on a continuous basis, Tellez is subject to “hate” in this town, for whatever reason
Most fans who have watched Suwinski’s ascension to the majors want the kid to do well. I know I do. Neil Walker said during last night’s broadcast that Jack is a “grinder” and spends an incredible amount of time trying to right himself. One can only appreciate that. Not sure that his stint at Indy aided him as he was still striking out as much as he does here
As for the complaints ‘not aging well,’
I’m glad he homered last night. I’m glad Davis doubled. Did you just watch highlights or did you see their other at bats? Your comment is a bit premature to say the least
I like Triolo and agree about his glove prowess. I also like Peguero. But it’s not rocket science that at some point the Pirates will have to make some decision about packaging one of the many infielders in a deal that would bring back an outfield prospect with some semblance of offensive ability
After all, save for Gorski who is tearing it up on the farm, they have nothing approaching a near future outfielder or 1st baseman. In reality, between Gonzales, Triolo, Bae, Peguero, Triolo and Termarr and perhaps Cheng on the farm, auditions for either playing in Pittsburgh or for some other team are likely ongoing.
It’s not like the Pirates are going to open the purse strings to sign a big time free agent
I don’t hate Jack, I hate that he hasn’t improved in his third season in the majors
Yes he was solely responsible for the lone run in last night’s game, but hacked at pitches nowhere near the plate in his other two plate appearances
Battling well below the Mendoza line seems to be a feature with this team and not an exemption
And the saddest part, he’s not alone yet there doesn’t seem to be any emergence from management to improve the situation
Sure, send players back to Indy to improve their hitting. Why isn’t the hitting coach on the parent club making the improvements?
Well, technically you were proven right. Glasnow got him once. However…
one of the problems I see when players are in the batter’s box
Pitches on the outside corner, these guys are trying to pull the ball instead of trying to hit in the opposite direction and when they swing at outside corner pitches, they strike out
Oliveras does this often as does Joe.
Peguero should alternate with Cruz at shortstop or Cruz should be sent to Indy because Haines apparently isn’t helping anyone become better hitters
Gorski should be given a chance at the major league level and Tellez should be dfa.
Loved Starkey’s column in today’s PG that implores Nutting/Cherington to bring in a big time player or two ASAP to build around Keller-Jones-Skenes-Falter
The Pirates as constructed will need to continually grind out wins and if contending is the idea, that’s an incredible ask with 100 games left
Lamb, Gorski….yeah, they should be here. That they’re not indicates that Cherington is still waiting for a few of the hitters to transform into big time hitters. It’s not going to happen but truthfully, those two guys aren’t going to be enough either
Lamb and Gorski combined don’t have to be enough for this team to contend but might be to be competitive or at the very least, an improvement
Time is running out for those current players who Cherington are waiting on being transformed. With the current bunch I don’t see any miracles on the horizon
tonight’s game should be interesting. Suwinski is in the lineup against a lefty
As is Olivares batting cleanup. I am surprised that Peguero isn’t playing though
Matt Gorski has 41 rbi in 47 games at Indy, yet Cherington prefers to have Tellez, with his 14 rbis and a .175 batting average play first base.
I don’t understand how Cherington won’t do whatever is necessary to improve this team’s offense. It’s almost like he doesn’t care
@tiredolderdude Awesome you read Starkey. Fantasy is my favorite genre of fiction as well. It’s not happening but anyone who wishes for it truly hates the Pirates. If a guy gets offers of 30 40 million a year 200 300 400 total to play for a team that always contends always spends $ a team that provides amazing brand endorsement opportunities then how much would the Pirates have to over pay to get that player? And what if the player doesn’t perform to expectations? Ok so get a 20 25 million guy. Same thing just not as large scale.
Same people who complain about low payrolls want big free agents. How can they afford these free agents if they don’t save $ during rebuild years?
I love fantasy but will pass on that author.
If he meant trades that’s a little better. But it’s going to be painful. Remember the last big buy trade Archer? Teams aren’t going to part with anything special for Bae Peguero. They are going to want good young pitching and or buy low on failed development hitters. You seen Cherington trades. You seen Pirates development. It could very well be Archer 2.0
Again the hypocrisy. Don’t like trading veterans for prospects. Don’t like low payroll tanking for draft picks. But want to trade prospects for stars now. You can’t have it both ways.
Cherington doesn’t even look at rbi so has no idea.
I would love to see a trade between the White Sox and Pirates.
Robert, Kopech and Dejung for Davis, Gonzalez and Prestier.
The chances of the Bucs trading Gonzalez and Davis are slim to none. Both are former first round picks by the current General Manager and he’s unlikely to give up on either but Priester’s availability is similar to his pitching performances
questionable
I have to wonder why they need such an influx of middle infielders
Alika Williams, especially after bringing up Pegs, should have been optioned to Indy and Matt Gorski promoted. He plays first base and in the outfield
Cruz, Triolo, Williams, Hayes, Gonzalez and now Pegs. That’s 6 players for 3 positions
Which makes me wonder if either there is another move coming soon, or if at least one of those guys gets some 1B work. Oliveras has been OK but Joe could easily take most of the RF reps if someone else could play some 1B against lefties… or more?
Oliveras is not an everyday player and even when he’s in the lineup, he’s not a steady hitter
Williams is on IL
yes Dream, that was already established
Ship Alexis Williams, Haines and Skelton to,I don’t know, anywhere but pittsburgh. Davis should be the regular catcher. I always liked peguero. Maybe there’s a trade in the works for a major league first baseman. FAULTY TELLEZ should be traded for a couple bats,gloves and garbage cans.
And the idiots at the FAN 97.3, are now saying they are worried about Jones, one bad game and crawley and fillipino and Mooler are crying. I think all of the above are a disgrace to pittsburgh sports talk.
Unfortunately, Tellez isn’t even worth what you’re suggesting but I like the idea of trading Haines and Shelton
I still question why Shelton puts Cruz in the number 4 spot in his lineup when Cruz is having a 2023 Suwinski pace for strikeouts
He currently has 76 which is among the leaders in the league
Gonzalez is probably better suited for the cleanup position, so I guess we’ll find out tonight since Cruz is batting cleanup
Jack is batting 9th
Will it be another double digit strikeout performance by the Bucs offense?
Maybe they should get Skelton a bigger hat to pull his lineup out of. Or he might be pulling his lineups out of,WHERE THE SUN DONT SHINE
Sounds like Indy’s hitting coach needs promoted.
I couldn’t remember who that was so I had to look it up… it’s former big leaguer Eric Munson. He’s in his 3rd year with Indianapolis.
For some ridiculous reason, both Shelton and Cherington believe in hitting coach Andy Haines, despite during his tenure, the team has been or finished near the bottom of the league in runs scored
Suwinski had a ton of Ks at Indy against inferior pitching so I don’t anticipate any improvement. Would have been better off taking a look at Gorski.
I wonder why with the issue of Tellez’ inferior performance at the plate, they don’t give Gorski a chance and promote him
He has hit 10 homers at Indy while Tellez has just one
It’s almost as if Cherington has given up on the season and doesn’t want to make any significant improvements
Well to be truthful, Gorski and Lamb should be up
Nice win tonight and really, this has to be their recipe moving forward. Pitching and scratch out a run or two
I don’t see how that changes with this lineup
Let’s be honest in saying Tellez, Davis and Suwinski looked overmatched tonight. Honestly feel badly for Rowdy. He gets booed for every strike, let alone outs he makes. Suwinski’s homer owes a debt of gratitude to Glasnow and whomever thought a fastball dead red/slight inside and waist high was a good idea
I don’t think Glasnow deliberately threw that pitch to Jack, I think it was supposed to be a change that obviously didn’t drop
Tellez gets booed because he deserves to be booed. His strikeout was a pitch nowhere close to the plate, down and away
He also allowed a middle in pitch to go by without taking the bat off his shoulder
It might be time to send Cruz to Indy to work on his swing. 78 strikeouts is a pathetic amount for someone who isn’t really a power hitter
Great performance otherwise by Jones and the relievers. Chapman certainly does his best to make it interesting though. Has he ever not walked a batter in any of his appearances?
I cringe every time he takes the mound and almost get that way when Bednar pitches too
Did you forget about the double Davis hit down the 3rd base line?
I thought plate appearance was promising, but outside of Jack’s homer, he looked lost at the plate during his other ABs
I actually did forget the double
And no, Glasnow wasn’t aiming dead red, of course. But he could have thrown that pitch anywhere else and likely coaxed a swing and miss from Suwinski (look at his next at bat. Yikes)
as it turns out if Jack doesn’t connect on that homer, they probably go into extra innings and lose since most Bucs’ players couldn’t hit the ball out of the infield and mostly did what they seem to do best
strikeout
If Jack is the center fielder for the next 10 games, the offense will undoubtedly suffer, not that Taylor is a consistent threat at the plate either
Suwinski is having a better offensive season than Taylor.
We all get it, you two hate Suwinski and his game. You don’t need to come on here every day and rip on the guy. It’s sad you’re doing it even after he hit the homerun that won the game, just give it a rest for a few days.
Perhaps the most moronic post I’ve seen here in quite awhile.
It’s discussion
It’s critique
It’s a message board
And “we all get” that you’re a Suwinski fanboy with no objectivity
Grow up
I for one always cheer for Jack but he is a work in progress with too many Ks. He needs a season in AAA that he never had to work on his swing.
BFD, he hit a home run that accounted for the only run in last night’s game
Where has his offense been in the previous 50 some games?
You have every right to praise him just like I have every right to criticize him
Suwinski has potential, but in his third major league season, he’s regressed from last year
They ripped on him last year when he was a freaking all star. He needs to produce in the old man stats like average rbi strike outs vs every type of pitching for them to like him. This year it’s fair to rip on him or better yet pirates staff for not being able to help him. He’s willing to be patient. Willing to put in the work. Has power. And done it last year. They tried to cut down K’s and they did at the expense of cutting the power hitting.
Last year he was far better in terms of power, this year not so much
In comparison, Nick Gonzalez has played in half of the games Jack has played in and has almost one rbi per game, 20 in 21 games) while Jack has 14 in 51 games
This year, Jack’s forte is striking out, including the 3 he had in last night’s game
He’s the only player who didn’t score a run and why?
Because he never reached base. He was too busy swinging and missing at pitches thrown to him
Much like Roansy was on the mound here after a nice start, I look at Suwinski as a guy who really needs someone to work on his mental approach and to build self confidence
Davis and to a lesser extent, Cruz, can be looked at in the same way
These are young guys and we all understand it’s hard to just immediately adapt to playing at this level. To me, it’s beyond mechanics at this point
Grow up? That’s hilarious coming from one of the two consistently negative haters on the board.
I’m not a Suwinski fanboy, I’ve literally said they could upgrade from him and I’d be fine with it. But, lets all at least live in reality.
He’s having a bad year, but even when he was good last season you two constantly acted like he was the worst player ever. It’s just tired and old at this point…oh, actually that makes some sense with you.
Use your mute button so you don’t have to read my truthful comments about Suwinski
You mean half truths with a negative spin? It’s not just Suwinski, it’s everyone and everything.
I mean the Pirates are 7th in the league in runs scored over the last month and I still see you on here complaining about the offense every day. That’s just more evidence that you’re too jaded from the past to have an objective opinion.
yes, another double digit strike out performance by the hapless offense coming to a stadium near you
Cruz needs to be further down in the order, and Joe should be batting 5th
Hayes at 4th in the lineup, Gonzalez third
The offense has actually been middle of the pack for almost a month now (and scored 5+ runs in half the games). Not great, but not bad either. I still think Haines stinks and Munson should replace him, but the offense isn’t the worst element of the team at the moment (that’s the bullpen).
Take a deep breathe and relax, it has to be stressful to be as negative as you are all the time.
I’d tell you to read Mackey’s column in the PG a couple days ago that would dispel literally everything you have written but I’m sure you’d call him a “hater “ too and that your attention span would preclude you from reading more than a couple paragraphs
I know Jason Mackey, and he’s said over and over again exactly what I did. The offense is middle of the pack for the last month or so. That’s just a fact. I don’t know why you’re mad about it and resorted to name calling.
I don’t need or want your advice on whether I am relaxed or stressed
Especially from someone who doesn’t know me personally
I am not a pessimist, I am a realist, from expecting this offense to be successful and not mediocre
Maybe you should offer your non professional experience about negativity to someone who will take you seriously
I am not that person
You’re such an insufferable person at times. You aren’t a realist, you’re negative about everything, all the time. Haines stinks, but the offense has been average for a month (you said it’s awful). Just pointing out that’s incorrect.
mute me mute me mute me
Having been a Pirate fan since 1966, my hope isn’t for an “ average offense “, average doesn’t win championships
If you’re happy with average, perhaps you’re the insufferable person
The Pirates are 7th in the league in runs scored since Skenes and Gonzales were called up (and they’re 15-12).
Just facts. I know you don’t care about them, but there they are. Maybe you’re insufferable since you can’t enjoy winning baseball and a decent offense for the past month.
chalk up two more strikeouts for your hero, swinging again at pitches nowhere near the plate.
If I have a valid reason for being a realist about how he’s regressed this year, those 2 plate appearances are the evidence
It would make my day to see Jack right the ship. But unless he finds his own hitting guru in the off season, it’s hard to fathom him progressing to a point where that power is coupled with a better approach
He’s not alone, of course. But he looks defeated against left handers before he even sees a pitch
Approach, plate discipline…these two areas in particular are Jack’s Achilles heel.
Cruz isn’t far behind him
No idea what goes on behind the scenes but with so many young players, you’d hope the Pirates have someone to work on players’ heads, too
Buctober 2 offered me his mental health advice, maybe they could hire him. Jack, Cruz and Taylor might be stressed out and need to relax at the plate
I already worked for the Pirates in the past. Not enough money in sports so I moved to the private sector.
In case you were wondering, it was before this current crop of players and not under this “regime”. They do need to relax at the plate though, Haines and Shelton are in their head with the one size fits all approach (that fits none of them).
I don’t even know who you were referencing as “my hero”. My favorite players are Jared Triolo and Ke’Bryan Hayes, but I don’t think you were referencing either of them.
It’s difficult to work on hitters’ heads when those in charge are themselves in need of a mental evaluation
Like what did Cherington expect when he signed Taylor, Chapman, Tellez and even Haines? Where was his mind?
Or the lineups created by Shelton, putting one of the league leaders in strikeouts batting cleanup?
I get the feeling here in watching Reynolds, specifically, that Haines deals with mechanics and tweaks as he sees fit
Reynolds is a different hitter than he was two years ago. I don’t believe the previous few years were an aberration and as such I’d wonder, why tinker with him at all?
If Munson is the guy who helped Gonzales, why is he at Indy when his services are so desperately needed here? You’d think the front office is aware but perhaps Cherington’s fantasy revelation that all of these guys, like magic, will suddenly find themselves is the actual rationale
Cruz alone is a guy with a wealth of talent that someone should say they need to move quickly or have another Polanco situation
I’m guessing occasional 10 run outbursts tells them that Haines is right in his methodology. Fantasy Island
Fantasy Island is the perfect term for the defense of Haines’ approach to successful hitting. Don’t get me wrong, I truly enjoy the 10 run outbursts, but they are few and far between.
But I don’t believe that the offense we saw in last night’s game is a result of Haines’ teaching methods, it’s more of a result of bad pitching by the Dodgers and the Pirates’ bats taking advantage of them
Even a broken clock is right twice a day
If this 10 run outburst had been a result of Haines’ hitting techniques, Jack wouldn’t have struck out three times
Cruz is back in the lineup for tonight’s game and in the cleanup slot. 78 ks in 55 games doesn’t obviously deter Shelton from writing out a different lineup
Between him, Tellez and Jack, there should be a handful or more swings at pitches nowhere near the plate
I could be wrong, but recent history suggests otherwise
It’s going to be difficult to overcome the 4 runs that Falter has given up in only the first inning
Especially with the lineup Shelton has put together
And Betts should have been called out at second after the Ohtani hit to Oliveras since he threw the ball to second. The umpire blew the call signaling an out when Olivares trapped the ball
Cruz’ strikeout proves my logic that he shouldn’t be the cleanup hitter
It’s going to be a bloodbath
who was it here who said that he was excited about Heller being promoted?
I wonder if he’s excited now