By Karen Price

Published: Wednesday, June 27, 2012, 9:18 p.m.
Updated: Thursday, June 28, 2012

PHILADELPHIA — The decision to designate former first-round pick Daniel Moskos for assignment Tuesday was a difficult but correct one, manager Clint Hurdle said Wednesday.

“It may be an appropriate time to bring closure to it and move on,” Hurdle said. “He's given it everything he's got and he hasn't gotten to the point in our organization that he'd like to be. Again, at the end of the day, I know he gave it everything he had. Sometimes things just don't work out, and they'll get an opportunity now to maybe work out for him somewhere else.”

Moskos, who was designated to make room for utility infielder Drew Sutton on the 40-man roster, was the No. 4 overall pick in 2007. That draft predated current general manager Neal Huntington, but fans still bemoan the team selecting the left-handed starter (now a reliever) over catcher Matt Wieters, drafted No. 5 by the Baltimore Orioles. Moskos made his major league debut for the Pirates last year and went 1-1 with a 2.96 ERA in 31 games (241⁄3 innings). He was among the final players cut from major league camp this year.

• The Pirates claimed infielder/outfielder Oscar Tejeda off waivers from Boston yesterday and assigned him to Double-A Altoona. Tejeda, 22, batted .262 with 15 doubles, five home runs and 31 RBI in 51 games with Double-A Portland this year. Baseball America ranked him the Red Sox' No. 24 overall prospect entering the season. Hurdle has not seen Tejeda play. “There was a lot of internal discussion on the young player,” he said. “This is one of those situations where you rely heavily upon your scouting department, people who have seen him play, on where he fits, projects. It was a worthy acquisition, and we'll see where it ends up.”

• To make room on the 40-man roster, the Pirates designated Doug Slaten, optioned to Triple-A the day before, for assignment.

• Gerrit Cole suffered a jaw contusion after being hit with a line drive in his Double-A start Tuesday, but a CT scan was negative for broken bones and there was no evidence of a concussion, according to the Pirates.

• Catcher Rod Barajas said he was feeling a little better yesterday and planned to move around more than he did Tuesday to see how his bruised knee responded. Hurdle was unsure before the game if Barajas would be available to pinch hit, if needed.

— Karen Price

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