Neverauskas recalled because of tired bullpen; Barbato optioned

The Pirates called up one of their top young relief pitchers just two days after watching two wins slip away in Baltimore.

Needing a fresh arm in the bullpen, the Pirates recalled 24-year-old reliever Dovydas Neverauskas from Triple-A Indianapolis, and optioned reliever Johnny Barbato to the Indians in a corresponding move on Thursday afternoon.

Neverauskas arrived at PNC Park just minutes before the Pirates were scheduled to begin stretching for a 7:05 p.m. game against the Marlins.



He bolsters a bullpen that needed a fresh arm after Tony Watson, Felipe Rivero and Wade Leblanc pitched in both games of the two-game series against the Orioles, leaving their availability in doubt Thursday night, according to Clint Hurdle.

That would require Juan Nicasio to be the de facto closer against the Marlins, creating a void for a long reliever.

"I'm ready to get back up there, but it's not my choice," Neverauskas told DKPittsburghSports.com in Columbus on May 15. "The only thing I can do is keep pitching here, keep performing and get surprised again."

The right-hander made his major league debut on April 24, becoming the first Lithuanian born-and-raised pitcher to appear in the major leagues, and was optioned back to Indianapolis two days later.

Neverauskas allowed one run on two hits in two innings against the Cubs in his only appearance with the Pirates. He has made 21 appearances with Indianapolis, owning a 3.58 ERA while allowing 11 earned runs and striking out 25 while walking 11.

Barbato was 0-0 with a 4.84 ERA in 15 appearances with the Pirates, allowing 12 earned runs in 22 1/3 innings. He surrendered three earned runs in the eighth inning of the 9-6 extra-inning loss Wednesday night in Baltimore.

Neverauskas provides the Pirates with a power arm, one that is becoming more consistent as the season progresses.

Neverauskas has thrown three consecutive scoreless innings since allowing three earned runs in 2/3 against Rochester on May 29. He has not pitched since Tuesday night, when he allowed one hit in one inning against Toledo.

He was told late Wednesday night he would be returning to the Pirates, giving him an opportunity to arrive ahead of first pitch. He had no such luxury the day he made his major league debut against the Cubs.

"The first time I was (in Pittsburgh) it didn't even feel like I even made my debut," Neverauskas said last month. "It went so fast, I showed up in the middle of the game. My time will come again."

NOTES

Jameson Taillon made his second rehab start with Triple-A Indianapolis on Wednesday night against Toledo, allowing five runs on nine hits in six innings.

Taillon threw 97 pitches, including 67 for strikes, and retired nine hitters on three pitches or less. He also threw a first-pitch strike to 20 of the 29 batters he faced.

Hurdle said no plan has been laid out for Taillon, who is expected to drive back to Pittsburgh after a post-start workout Thursday night in Toledo. He will then meet with Hurdle before a decision is made.