Pirates option Hunter Stratton to Triple-A, promote Michael Darrell-Hicks in bullpen switch
The Pittsburgh Pirates announced a swap of right-handed bullpen personnel Tuesday afternoon, optioning Hunter Stratton to Triple-A Indianapolis and recalling Michael Darrell-Hicks from the Indians.
Stratton on Monday did not have a strong outing against the Milwaukee Brewers.
Relieving Braxton Ashcraft in the fourth inning, he allowed three runs on four hits, hitting a batter with a walk and strikeout in his first big-league appearance since May 1.
Stratton, who’s hoping to return to his 2024 form (2-1, 3.58 ERA in 32 games) before suffering a season-ending rupture of his left patella tendon in early August, now owns a 23.63 ERA this year.
Over three games with the Pirates this season, he’s allowed seven runs in 2 2/3 innings.
He was originally called up from Triple-A on June 21.
With the Indians, Stratton is 0-1 with a 3.65 ERA through 21 appearances.
As for Darrell-Hicks, he joins the Pirates for the first time since being claimed off waivers from the Los Angeles Angels on June 13.
The 27-year-old was immediately assigned to Triple-A and delivered two scoreless frames with a strikeout and two walks.
He made his MLB on April 11 of this year with the Angels and had a 9.39 ERA over six games with the club upon being designated for assignment June 8.
Justin Guerriero is a TribLive reporter covering the Penguins, Pirates and college sports. A Pittsburgh native, he is a Central Catholic and University of Colorado graduate. He joined the Trib in 2022 after covering the Colorado Buffaloes for Rivals and freelancing for the Denver Post. He can be reached at jguerriero@triblive.com.
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