PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – The Pirates still have two more roster moves to make between now and Opening Day, but did decide to keep 14 pitchers. They also are receptive to bringing back infielder Todd Frazier, after he opted out a few days ago.
“It’s nothing that Todd Frazier did not do,” said Pirates GM Ben Cherington, it was more about what Phillip Evans did do. “We really enjoyed having him in camp. He performed well. We are still talking to him. We would still have an interest in him being a part of the organization going forward if we can work that out.”
DeJong/Shreve reassigned
Impressive in three starts and five games with the Pirates, righty Chase DeJong reassigned to minor league camp. DeJong pitched 14.1 innings, giving up 3 earned runs, 9 hits, 7 strikeouts and 3 walks. His worst outing was his last, going 2.2 innings on Monday allowing a pair of runs on a pair of hits. The 27-year-old was a second round pick of the Blue Jays in 2012.
Lefty reliever Chasen Shreve gave up a run on Monday. In 10 appearances this spring, Shreve threw 9.1 innings, allowed 8 hits, 4 runs, 1 walk and 7 strikeouts. The 30-year-old was a non-roster invitee who has pitched in the majors with the Braves, Yankees, Cardinals and Mets.
Brault/Ponce to go on injured list
Lefty starter Steven Brault shut down a couple of weeks ago with a shoulder injury and likely will miss a couple of months.
Cody Ponce had forearm discomfort and they are being cautious and going slow with his condition. Ponce never stopped throwing, but is not ready for the season. Cherington said they want him to face hitters before making a decision to put him on the major league roster.
Luis Oviedo makes team
A Rule 5 pick of the Mets and then traded to the Pirates in December, 6’4”, 235 pound righty reliever Luis Oviedo made the roster. The 21-year-old pitched in only three Grapefruit League games, giving up a run over 3 innings with a walk and pair of strikeouts.
“We are comfortable with him,” Cherington said. “He’s shown good stuff. In that abbreviated time, he’s shown the ability to bounce back. Hasn’t had issues bouncing back from outings. He’s shown the ability to throw two really good major league pitches and get the breaking ball in the strike zone. We feel good about what we’ve seen even though it was a short amount of time. Excited to move forward with him.”
Oviedo will begin as a reliever, but has made 51 starts in the minors with a 4.66 ERA with 265 strikeouts in 258.2 innings.
Michael Perez back-up catcher
Claimed off waivers by the Pirates from the Rays, Michael Perez won the job as the back-up catcher.
“Mikey Perez had a really good camp,” said manager Derek Shelton. “This guy is an elite receiver. He does a lot of good things behind the plate. I think they (Perez and Jacob Stallings) are going to be a good combination.”
Perez, 28, played in 84 games in the last three seasons with Tampa Bay, hitting .221 with a pair of home runs. He also hit a 2-run homer in game 3 of the ALDS against the Yankees in 2020, playing in 8 post-season games for the Rays.