Wil Crowe went from making the most starts for the Pittsburgh Pirates last season to the most relief appearances this season, after moving from the rotation to the bullpen.
Now his season is over.
The Pirates placed Crowe on the 15-day injured list Saturday with right elbow inflammation, recalling right-hander Junior Fernandez from Triple-A Indianapolis. Fernandez was with the Pirates in St. Louis as a member of the taxi squad.
Crowe started 25 games in 2021 but fared well after switching to a relief role, starting as a multi-inning reliever before working his way into high-leverage situations. He was 6-10 with a 4.38 ERA and 1.39 WHIP and four saves in 76 innings over 60 appearances.
The Pirates claimed Fernandez off waivers from the Cardinals on Sept. 7. The 25-year-old Dominican was 1-1 with a 5.51 ERA and 1.74 WHIP in 50 2/3 innings over 47 games in four seasons with St. Louis, including a 2.93 ERA in 15 1/3 innings this season.
