Pirates Swap Pitchers Before Padres Game

PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Pirates needed an available arm for their bullpen and they addressed that issue ahead of their next game.

The Pirates recalled right-handed pitcher Noah Murdock from Triple-A Indianapolis ahead of their upcoming contest against the San Diego Padres at Petco Park on Aug. 25.

Pittsburgh also optioned rookie right-handed pitcher Khristian Curtis to Indianapolis, making room for Murdock on the 26-man roster.

The Pirates needed an extra pitcher, as six pitchers threw a combined six innings in the 3-2 victory in 12 innings over the Padres in the series opener on Aug. 24, and three bullpen arms threw eight innings in the 4-0 loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers in the series finale at Dodger Stadium on Aug. 23.

Pittsburgh had all nine pitchers throw over the past two games and Curtis threw the final three scoreless innings vs. the Dodgers, meaning he wouldn't have been available for this upcoming game either.

Murdock will come in as someone the Pirates will mostly likely come in after starting pitcher Paul Skenes, who is in a slump and it's unknown how long he'll make it through the game.

This is the fourth stint for Murdock, who was the 27th man for two doubleheaders that he didn't pitch in and then came back for a third time on July 29, throwing three scoreless innings over two outings.

Pittsburgh's bullpen includes right-handers in Lake Bachar, Camilo Doval, Carmen Mlodzisnki, Murdock, Yohan Ramírez, Luke Weaver and Kirby Yates, plus left-handers in Mason Montgomery and Gregory Soto.