The Pirates yesterday added experience to their bench by acquiring Jason Michaels, a 32-year-old outfielder with a career .277 average and quality character, from the Cleveland Indians in a trade for cash and a player to be named.

In turn, they optioned Nyjer Morgan to Class AAA Indianapolis, and it was that move, it appeared, that was the priority.

Management had grown concerned that Morgan's inactivity, just 31 at-bats and two starts, was beating him down, and there was cause to view it that way: Morgan, still considered a prospect at 27, was batting .161 and looked increasingly lost.

"We felt this was the best thing for Nyjer's continued development," general manager Neal Huntington said. "He's played an important role for us, but we want him to be an everyday major-leaguer. He needs to be on the field."

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Minor-league report

Thursday's results

INDIANAPOLIS (18-17) won at Richmond, 2-1. RHP Bryan Bullington (1-5, 6.81) allowed one run and seven hits in seven innings. He struck out three, walked none and threw 64 of 82 pitches for strikes. RHP T.J. Beam (2.66) pitched a perfect ninth with two strikeouts for his second save. CF Andrew McCutchen (.295), back after missing two games to the flu, went 2 for 4 with an RBI and his 10th steal. RF Kevin Thompson (.344) went 1 for 3 with a walk.

ALTOONA (13-20) lost at Akron, 2-1. RHP Jimmy Barthmaier (2-1, 5.29) allowed one run and five hits in 4 2/3 innings. LHP Dave Davidson (2.78) pitched 2 1/3 scoreless innings of relief.

LYNCHBURG (15-18) beat Frederick, 4-0. LHP Danny Moskos (3-1, 3.72) pitched 6 2/3 scoreless innings and allowed six hits. He struck out three, walked none and got 13 ground-ball outs. LF Jared Keel (.165) hit his second home run and went 1 for 2 with a walk.

HICKORY (16-19) beat Savannah, 5-2. RHP Dustin Molleken (3-2, 3.61) pitched six scoreless innings and allowed one hit. He struck out seven, walked none and hit a batter. 3B Robert Spain (.286) went 2 for 4 with two RBIs.

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Huntington wanted to demote Morgan last week, but the outfielder he had hoped to promote, Kevin Thompson, owner of a .344 average, has had minor wrist soreness at the time.

So, when Cleveland designated Michaels for assignment Tuesday after he batted .208 with nine RBIs in 21 games -- the Indians, eager for team-wide offense immediately, promoted Ben Francisco, 26, from Class AAA to take his place in left field -- Huntington acted on "strong" urging from manager John Russell and bench coach Gary Varsho, who knew Michaels from the Philadelphia system, and pursued him.

That culminated late yesterday afternoon, when the Indians agreed to pick up a significant portion of Michaels' $2.15 million salary, perhaps as much as three quarters, though no firm figure was available. Michaels has a $2.6 million club option for 2009, but there is no buyout attached.

The player to be named is not expected to be significant.

Michaels has been a gritty, consistent performer in his six-year career, twice exceeding a .300 mark with the Phillies, while mostly limited to bench or platoon duty.

"He's been used in all kinds of roles, and that's what he'll do for us," Huntington said. "He could bat second or eighth, play left, right and an adequate center, and he could give our outfielders a rest if needed."

That has been rare, of course, as Nate McLouth, Xavier Nady and Jason Bay have been Major League Baseball's most productive outfield.

Which is the primary reason Morgan never came close to the playing time the Pirates had envisioned when he made the team out of spring training.

"Those guys were all hitting, and there's nothing I can do about that," Morgan said. "But I'll be back. It's not the end of Nyj. This is positive. I'm going to get my work in."

Michaels will join the Pirates for their game tonight against the Atlanta Braves.

On several occasions in the past two games, it was clear Nady was moving at less than 100 percent, and there was a reason: His groin was slightly strained in the opening game of the series.

But, it was not the hamstring that troubled him most of last season.

"This will be fine," Nady said.

Still, Russell might rest him at some point soon.

• San Francisco manager Bruce Bochy was hurt in the dugout when, while trying to dodge a foul ball in the third inning, he slipped and hit his head on the ground. He quickly was back on his feet, continued to manage and said he was fine afterward.

• Second baseman Freddy Sanchez is 7 for 13 since Russell put him in the leadoff spot. "It doesn't really matter to me where I hit," Sanchez said. "But I'm feeling more comfortable."

• The Pirates signed starter Juan Mateo, who spent half of 2006 in the Chicago Cubs' rotation, to a minor-league contract. Mateo, 25, rocketed through the Chicago system that year and went 1-3 with a 5.32 ERA in 10 starts for the Cubs, but shoulder trouble dropped him back to Class A last year.