Pirates send struggling Luis Ortiz to Triple-A Indianapolis

Luis Ortiz, who has made 10 starts for the Pittsburgh Pirates but recently ran into hard times, was optioned to Triple-A Indianapolis on Wednesday.

Ortiz (2-3) was the starting pitcher in the Pirates’ 9-7 victory against the Los Angeles Dodgers on Tuesday when he allowed nine hits, including three home runs, in 3 1/3 innings. In his past two starts, he has given up 10 earned runs and 15 hits (five home runs) in a total of eight innings, with only three strikeouts. His season ERA has climbed to 4.86 and his WHIP to 1.733.

“I think we saw some things we need to work on with Louie and get him down to Indy and get him right so we can get him back up here,” manager Derek Shelton said Wednesday night on the AT&T SportsNet pregame show before the Pirates’ game in Los Angeles. “The thing we have to realize is he is still a young kid. We had a good conversation with him (Wednesday). The thing we really like about Louie is he competes. It’s just we have to get some of the delivery stuff cleaned up.”

Ortiz, 24, is the second of the Pirates’ young starting pitching prospects to encounter problems this season. Roansy Contreras made 11 starts this season before he was sent to the bullpen. He has a 3-6 record, 6.15 ERA and 1.515 WHIP.

The Pirates recalled pitcher Yohan Ramirez from Indianapolis to take Ortiz’s spot on the roster. Previously this season, Ramirez worked 19 games in relief for the Pirates, recording a 1-0 record and 3.00 ERA.

He was sent to Indianapolis on June 20, compiling a 1-0 record and 0.75 ERA in nine games (one start). He didn’t allow a run in his past four outings.