The Pirates are switching up shortstops, among other moves made Thursday afternoon.
Jordy Mercer, slowed for a while now by a strained left calf, was placed on the 10-day disabled list. In response, the team selected the contract of Kevin Newman, one of their top prospects, from Class AAA Indianapolis, thus adding him to both the 25-man and 40-man rosters.
Also, left fielder Jordan Luplow was recalled from Indianapolis, catcher Jacob Stallings was optioned back to Indianapolis, and pitcher Casey Sadler was designated for assignment. Stallings was moved to clear space on the 25-man, and the Sadler move cleared space on the 40-man, the latter of which is full.
Newman, 25, was the Pirates' first-round draft pick in 2015, 19th overall. In 109 games with Indianapolis this season, he batted .302/.350/.407 with four home runs, 30 doubles, two triples, 35 RBIs and 28 steals. That includes a 15-for-41 tear in his final 10 games with the Indians.
Our Lance Lysowski traveled to Columbus in late June to document Newman's breakout season.
Those offensive numbers were part of the reason Newman got the call with Mercer needing time off, but Clint Hurdle said before Thursday's game against the first-place Chicago Cubs that the entire picture was taken into account when choosing who would be promoted.
"I think he's the most dependable shortstop we could call up, a guy who gives us an opportunity to play (him) at shortstop at this particular time. The volume of work, from Opening Day until now, he's improved every facet of his game," Hurdle said. "He hasn't blinked when other people have been called up. The bat-to-ball, the base-stealing ability, the base-runner ability, the dependable defender — those would be the reasons (Newman was called up)."
Newman got a chance to meet with the media before stretching and taking batting practice Thursday, and he spoke from his new locker, where his No. 27 jersey was hanging. He is situated adjacent to Mercer's locker to allow him to pick the brain of the injured veteran.
Unlike some call-ups, Newman had a night to prepare after receiving the news of his first big league stint last night while on the road as Indianapolis faced Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.
"I got word last night. Our manager at Triple-A came in after our doubleheader. He called me into the office and let me know I'd be coming up, and I got a flight out this morning," Newman said, adding his first phone call was to his wife. "It got a pretty good reaction out of her, screaming on the phone. It was great."
"It's a dream come true. This is what every baseball player strives for and wants to get to. To be here, to be in this clubhouse with these guys, it's really exciting. ... It happened when it needed to happen. The Pirates felt that I was ready. I worked hard and, thankfully, they selected me and brought me up here."
Newman has played both shortstop and second base, and Hurdle said there will be no limitations — positional or situational — imposed on how Newman is used.
"I think the game will reveal opportunities or show us opportunities. I've kind of looked at some possibilities; we've got a very, very good defensive shortstop (Adeiny Hechavarria) in play right now with Major League experience," Hurdle said. "Whether it's a double switch, whether there's an opportunity to pinch hit, whether we have to put another shortstop out there or it's a day game after a night game, there's different opportunities that will present themselves."
Hechavarria is starting at shortstop Thursday night against the Cubs and lefty Jon Lester. He will bat eighth.