CHICAGO — Adam Frazier went on the 10-day disabled list Monday because of a strained hamstring for the second time this season, this one to his right leg.
The Pirates recalled right-handed reliever Dovydas Neverauskas from Class AAA Indianapolis. They also optioned right-hander Johnny Barbato to Indianapolis and recalled outfielder Jordan Luplow.
Frazier injured the hamstring trying to beat out a double play against the Cincinnati Reds Sunday.
“The challenging part we have, he has, is that this time of the year, it’s more problematic than any other time of the year,” manager Clint Hurdle said. “We’re playing the first-place team, we’re seven behind. We’ve got a chance to make up some ground. Rosters don't expand until Friday.”
Frazier has a .351 on-base percentage, a .386 slugging percentage and .280 batting average this season. He missed 18 games because of a left hamstring strain in April and May.
Luplow gives the Pirates a natural outfielder who bats right-handed. The starting right fielder, Gregory Polanco, is also on the disabled list and the Pirates face two left-handed starters in this week’s series against the Chicago Cubs, so John Jaso is not the best option in right. He made his major league debut last month after beginning the year in Class AA. Since returning to Indianapolis in early August, Luplow had a .326/.396/.465 line in 23 games.
“I think I got my timing a little better,” Luplow said. “Staying on pitches a little more, being able to see them and recognize pitches earlier is what I went down there and worked on.”
Neverauskas begins his fifth stint with the Pirates. In nine games in the majors, Neverauskas allowed four runs and 11 hits in 112/3 innings, with nine strikeouts and one walk.
Barbato has a 4.74 ERA in 18 games in relief.
Bill Brink: bbrink@post-gazette.com and Twitter @BrinkPG.
First Published: August 28, 2017, 9:23 p.m.