The Pittsburgh Pirates made a series of roster moves before Friday’s game against the Colorado Rockies, bringing back a former reliever to a bullpen dealing with an injury.
The Pirates placed right-hander Hunter Stratton (2-1, 4.26 ERA, one save) on the 15-day injured list with a right triceps strain and selected the contract of lefty Josh Fleming to the active roster.
Stratton was removed from Thursday’s 4-3 loss at the St. Louis Cardinals with one out in the eighth after he grasped his right arm with a 1-1 count against Brendan Donovan. Pirates manager Derek Shelton said Stratton felt tightness in his triceps.
Fleming returns to the Pirates after being designated for assignment May 14. The 28-year-old reliever was 1-1 with one save, a 5.68 ERA and 1.68 WHIP in 19 innings over 17 appearances. He was outrighted to Triple-A Indianapolis, where he allowed eight earned runs on 12 hits in 12⅔ innings over seven appearances. Fleming spent the previous four seasons with the Tampa Bay Rays.
To make room on the 40-man roster, infielder/outfielder Niko Goodrum was designated for assignment. The Pirates claimed Goodrum off waivers from the Los Angeles Angels on Monday.
Right-handed reliever Ben Heller, who was designated for assignment Monday, cleared waivers and accepted an outright assignment to Indianapolis.
