CLEVELAND — In need of an additional reliever, the Pirates called upon a right-hander who last pitched in the major leagues three years ago. Casey Sadler, who made a spot start for them in 2015 before undergoing Tommy John surgery, had his contract purchased from Triple-A Indianapolis Monday.
In corresponding moves, infielder Max Moroff was optioned to Triple-A and left-handed reliever Josh Smoker was designated for assignment. Sadler, 28, had a 3.54 ERA in 24 appearances, seven of which were starts, for Indianapolis. He gives Clint Hurdle an additional long reliever for this three-game series against the Indians.
Sadler, a 25th-round draft pick in 2010, reached Triple-A in 2013 and made his big league debut May 2, 2014 against the Blue Jays. He allowed nine runs in 10 1/3 innings out of the bullpen that season, and he appeared in only one game for the Pirates in 2015 — a spot start against the Brewers on April 12 when Francisco Liriano left the team because of the birth of his daughter.
Sadler struck out five over five innings, allowing two runs on four hits in a 10-2 win. He missed all of 2016 after undergoing Tommy John and spent most of 2017 at Double-A Altoona, where he posted a 1.076 WHIP in 48 1/3 innings. He pitched in only 18 1/3 innings with Indianapolis.
Sadler has served as a swing man in the Indians' bullpen this season. All but seven of his appearances have been multiple innings, and he's fared well in his spot starts, striking out eight and allowing only one earned run in five innings against Louisville on May 8. But he's posted a 1.45 WHIP with 55 strikeouts to 26 walks in 67 2/3 innings.
Smoker had a 1.26 WHIP with 11 earned runs allowed in 35 innings for Indianapolis.
Although the Pirates' seven other relievers should be available Monday in Cleveland, Sadler will provide insurance in the event of a short start against one of the top offenses in the majors.
Smoker, acquired from the Mets in January, allowed seven earned runs on 11 hits in 5 2/3 innings for the Pirates this season. He made the opening day roster and was sent to Triple-A, along with Dovydas Neverauskas, on April 13. Smoker, 29, was recalled July 4, only to allow three earned runs in 2/3 innings of a 17-5 loss to the Phillies.
The Pirates now have only two left-handed pitchers on their 40-man roster: Felipe Vazquez and Steven Brault. Moroff started at shortstop Sunday and went 1 for 4 with an RBI single. He's batted .186 with a .640 OPS and the Pirates are 8-3 when he starts; however, he was no longer needed with Sean Rodriguez and Josh Harrison both healthy.