Pirates notebook: Chase De Jong placed on IL after taking hit on left knee

The Pittsburgh Pirates placed starting pitcher Chase De Jong on the 10-day injured list Tuesday after he was hit on the left knee Monday night by a 89.5-mph line drive off the bat of the Arizona Diamondbacks’ David Peralta.

De Jong, who has knee inflammation, is the sixth Pirates starter to go on the IL this season. Manager Derek Shelton said De Jong had been dealing with knee discomfort before Monday.

“We just wanted to make sure he is healthy,” Shelton said. “With our bullpen being a little beat up, the fact that he was able to give us a few extra (innings after the injury) is really important. The way he felt (Tuesday) morning waking up, we felt it was an IL stint.”

To ease the roster void, the Pirates recalled right-handed pitchers Nick Mears and Max Kranick from Triple-A Indianapolis.

The Pirates have not announced a starter for the final game of the Diamondbacks series Wednesday, but Shelton said Kranick “could possibly” get the nod.

Shelton’s immediate concern was Tuesday’s game against the Diamondbacks. “Where our bullpen’s at right now, it’s kind of all hands on deck,” he said.

Kranick has made two spot starts this season, including a perfect, five-inning effort against the St. Louis Cardinals on June 27. He was the losing pitcher against the New York Mets on July 10 when he allowed three runs, four hits and three walks in three innings.

Mears has been with the Pirates on three previous occasions this season without appearing in a game. He pitched in relief in four games last season.

Difo’s hot

Switch-hitting Wilmer Difo raised his batting average to .291 (before Tuesday) while slashing .400/.475/.657 since he rejoined the Pirates on July 2. He also has played six positions this season: third base, second base, shortstop, center field and right field. He even pitched an inning.

“Willingness and the ability to work on those things,” Shelton said, explaining Difo’s success all over the diamond. “Difo’s got a ton of energy. He’s like the Energizer Bunny, everywhere, all the time.”

Difo started at shortstop Tuesday night.

Peters on the way to Indy

Dillon Peters, who was acquired Monday from the Los Angeles Angels, was expected to join Triple-A Indianapolis on Tuesday or Wednesday.

“Because of the fact that he has not been in a game in seven or eight days, we’re just going to have to watch how we ramp him up,” Shelton said.

The Pirates intend to use Peters as a starter in Indianapolis.

Transactions

The Pirates signed three more draft choices and added an undrafted free agent — all college pitchers.

Right-handed pitchers Jack Carey (11th round, Duke) and Owen Shorts (13th, Nevada) and lefty Tyler Samaniego (15th, South Alabama) signed contracts.

Undrafted left-hander Nick Dombkowski of Hartford (Conn.) University also signed. All four will report to the Florida Complex League.

Carey led Duke to its first ACC Tournament championship while striking out eight in a victory against Miami.

The Pirates have signed 12 of their 21 draft picks.