The Pirates promoted right-hander Chris Volstad from Class AAA Indianapolis Wednesday and added him to a bullpen that has thrown a lot of pitches in the previous two games.
To make room for Volstad, the Pirates put Corey Hart on the 15-day disabled list, retroactive to Tuesday, because of a left shoulder impingement.
Short outings by Charlie Morton (two-thirds of an inning Sunday) and Jeff Locke (four innings Tuesday) meant the bullpen has covered 12⅓ innings in the past two games. The promotion created an unbalanced roster, with eight relievers and four bench players.
“You are one man short,” manager Clint Hurdle said. “Those are the facts. But again, it goes back to protecting what I believe is your most important asset to protect right now, and that’s our pitching.”
Volstad, 28, has not pitched in the majors since 2013. The Pirates signed him as a minor league free agent in January. In 14 games, 12 starts, for Indianapolis this season, he had a 3.43 ERA and struck out 50 in 76 innings. Volstad pitched seven innings in each of his past three starts and most recently pitched June 16.
“We probably reignited his delivery a little bit, the importance of nailing the delivery at the top,” Hurdle said.
After adding Volstad to the 40-man roster, the Pirates have one vacant spot.
In parts of six seasons in the major leagues for the Florida Marlins, Chicago Cubs and Colorado Rockies, Volstad has a 4.94 career ERA. His best season was his rookie year in 2008, when he had a 2.88 ERA in 84⅓ innings with the Marlins.
“I know Neal’s had his sights on him for a while,” said Hurdle, who managed against Volstad in Volstad’s major league debut in 2008 when Hurdle was with the Colorado Rockies. “We thought he could be one of the guys that we could bring back in and help rekindle.”
Hart, 33, has dealt with the shoulder issue for some time, Hurdle said. But Hart started four games since June 14 as the Pirates faced more left-handed starting pitchers. He is hitting .222 (12 for 54) with a .246 on-base percentage and two home runs this season.
“After [Tuesday] talking with him, we feel this is the proper time to get him some rest, to get it right and then get him some at-bats and see where that can take us,” Hurdle said.
Hurdle said Hart did not specify an incident that caused the pain.
Bill Brink: bbrink@post-gazette.com and Twitter @BrinkPG.
First Published: June 25, 2015, 4:00 a.m.
