Top catching prospect Henry Davis will make his MLB debut on Monday evening at PNC Park, but he won’t be behind the plate.
To make room for Davis on the roster, infielder/outfielder Mark Mathias has been optioned to Indianapolis and right handed pitcher Elijah Villalobos has been designated for assignment.
Davis will start in right field and will bat seventh as the Pirates look to get back on the winning side after being swept back-to-back by the Cubs and Brewers on the road.
Now back home, the Pirates will look for some revenge against the Cubs.
Davis said during a pregame news conference that he’s felt like he’s been able to help the team for a while now.
Manager Derek Shelton says Davis will spend the majority of his team in Pittsburgh in right field and at designated hitter. He could get some time at catcher, but 93.7 The Fan’s Josh Rowntree suspects it will be rare.
Davis was batting .284 in the minors in both Double-A Altoona and Triple-A Indianapolis.
He has 11 home runs, 30 RBI and an OPS of .947.
The Pirates are still carrying both catcher Austin Hedges and Jason Delay.