Moroff, Bostick recalled; Frazier begins rehab assignment in Indianapolis

The Pirates have made a significant roster move ahead of a west coast road trip.

Infielders Chris Bostick and Max Moroff have been recalled from Triple-A Indianapolis, the Pirates announced Monday afternoon before a 10:10 p.m. first pitch at Dodger Stadium. In a corresponding move, catcher Elias Diaz and infielder Phil Gosselin were optioned to Indianapolis.

Adam Frazier has also joined the Indians on a rehab assignment.



In 24 games with the Indians, Bostick, who was acquired from the Nationals during the offseason, hit .320 with two home runs and 11 RBI. His batting average ranks eighth in the International League and included a 15-game hitting streak, which ended Saturday in Columbus.

His first appearance with the Pirates will be his major league debut. Moroff, who went hitless in two at-bats with the Pirates last season, has shown power at the plate with eight home runs and 17 RBI, going deep from both sides of the plate in a win at Columbus on Saturday night.

Moroff's power surge has come at a cost. He struck out 32 times in 97 at-bats with Indianapolis. He's also committed 10 errors in 24 games, though some of those occurred when he was forced to shift from second to shortstop when Gift Ngoepe was recalled to Pittsburgh last month.

"I think it’s maybe a little out of his comfort zone in a sense, but if he’s going to play in the big leagues he’s going to have to be able to play shortstop, second and third," Indianapolis manager Andy Barkett told DKPittsburghSports.com last weekend. "At the beginning I think he probably profiles as an every day second baseman. An ability to play shortstop is valuable and he’s shown he’s able to do it."

Diaz was recalled May 1st when the discomfort in Francisco Cervelli's right foot began to linger. The 26-year-old started Tuesday night's win over the Reds in Cincinnati, recording his fist major league hit and helping Tyler Glasnow navigate through a difficult first inning.

He then doubled in the loss to the Reds on Wednesday and Cervelli returned to the starting lineup on Thursday. Clint Hurdle said the Pirates would monitor Cervelli's foot injury before making a decision on Diaz. The roster move bodes well for Cervelli's injury.

Gosselin, meanwhile, has struggled both at the plate and in the field since being acquired from the Diamondbacks in February. He was just 4-for-29 from the plate this season and two costly errors at second base last week. The roster move seemed inevitable since Alen Hanson is out of minor league options and is the more highly touted prospect.

Gosselin is 28 years old and primarily appeared at second base for the Pirates this season. Hanson has experience at three of four infield positions. The roster move also allows for some changes to be made in Indianapolis.

Frazier has begun his rehab assignment as he returns from a hamstring injury. He is starting at second base in the Indians' game tonight against Charlotte. Additionally, Austin Meadows, who is the No. 6 prospect in baseball according to Baseball America, is playing right field with Danny Ortiz in center.