Pirates recall RHP Colin Holderman, LHP Evan Sisk, DFA LHP Ryan Borucki in bullpen shakeup

With its bullpen battered by the past two series, the Pittsburgh Pirates addressed it by making a number of roster moves before Friday’s series opener at the Chicago Cubs.

The Pirates recalled right-hander Colin Holderman and lefty Evan Sisk from Triple-A Indianapolis and optioned rookie righty Cam Sanders and designated lefty Ryan Borucki for assignment.

Holderman returns to the Pirates for the first time since May 20, when he was placed on the injured list with right thumb inflammation. After his rehabilitation assignment ended, he remained in the minors.

The sinker baller was 0-1 with a 9.00 ERA and 2.07 WHIP in 15 innings over 14 appearances for the Pirates this season, and was 1-1 with a 5.51 ERA and 1.59 WHIP in 16 1/3 innings over 16 appearances at Indy.

The 6-foot-2, 209-pound Sisk, 28, acquired from the Kansas City Royals in the Bailey Falter trade last month, had a 10.13 ERA and 2.06 WHIP with one save and one hold in five appearances at Indianapolis.

The bulk of the damage came in 10-4 loss to Omaha on Aug. 9, when Sisk allowed five runs on two hits and three walks in two-thirds of an inning — all with two outs in the eighth. Sisk left the bases loaded for Beau Burrows, who gave up a three-run double.

Borucki had been one of the Pirates’ top relievers in 2023 before enduring several injuries. He was 1-3 with a 5.28 ERA and 1.24 WHIP in 35 appearances this season but missed five weeks with low back inflammation from June 21 to Aug. 1.

Sanders made his major league debut Aug. 5 with two strikeouts in a pair of scoreless innings. But he had a 9.00 ERA, 2.20 WHIP and a .318 batting average against in five appearances.