The Pirates continued to stockpile pitchers Tuesday when they claimed right-hander A.J. Schugel off waivers from the Seattle Mariners.
Since the end of the 2015 season, the Pirates have added 13 pitchers via trade, waiver claim, free-agent signing or minor league contract with a spring-training invitation. With these additions, the Pirates are trying to offset the departure of A.J. Burnett, J.A. Happ, Joe Blanton, Antonio Bastardo, Joakim Soria and Charlie Morton.
Schugel, 26, made his major league debut in 2015 with the Arizona Diamondbacks. He allowed 13 runs, five earned, in five relief appearances spanning nine innings.
“A.J. is a guy that can run up a fastball in the low- to mid-90s [mph], a solid fastball,” Pirates general manager Neal Huntington said. “We like the changeup a lot. We think there may be a little bit more breaking ball to come.”
The Los Angeles Angels originally drafted Schugel in the 25th round of the 2010 draft out of Central Arizona College. He became a player to be named later in the 2013 three-way trade that involved Mark Trumbo, Hector Santiago, Tyler Skaggs and Adam Eaton.
In 21 starts between Class AA Mobile and Class AAA Reno in the Diamondbacks organization in 2015, Schugel had a 4.84 ERA. The Mariners claimed him off waivers from Arizona in December.
The Pirates designated right-hander Yoervis Medina for assignment to make room on the 40-man roster for Schugel.
Blanton to Dodgers
Free-agent right-hander Joe Blanton, who spent the final two months of the 2015 season with the Pirates, agreed Tuesday to a one-year, $4 million contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Blanton, 35, was out of baseball in 2014 before returning to pitch for the Kansas City Royals in 2015. The Pirates acquired him for cash at the trade deadline. In 21 relief appearances with the Pirates, Blanton had a 1.57 ERA and 39 strikeouts in 34⅓ innings.
Puerto Rico times announced
The two games against the Miami Marlins in Puerto Rico will start at 7:10 p.m., MLB announced. The Pirates and Marlins will play May 30-31 at Hiram Bithorn Stadium in San Juan. Roberto Clemente Day, usually observed in September, will be celebrated May 31 throughout MLB.
Bill Brink: bbrink@post-gazette.com and Twitter @BrinkPG.
First Published: January 19, 2016, 8:46 p.m.
Updated: January 20, 2016, 5:31 a.m.
