The Pirates promoted right-handed pitcher Clay Holmes from Triple-A Indianapolis and optioned outfielder Jordan Luplow before first pitch Tuesday against the Braves at PNC Park.
Holmes allowed seven earned runs in 2 2/3 innings in a spot start against the Giants on Aug.11, though he pitched six scoreless innings against the Brewers last month. He pitched in the eighth inning against the Braves Tuesday night after Michael Feliz allowed three runs in the seventh.
Holmes, 25, has a 3.35 ERA, 1.45 WHIP and 94 strikeouts to 39 walks in 91 1/3 innings for Indianapolis. He's thrown only one inning in each of his last two appearances and hasn't thrown more than 63 pitches in a game since July 31. Those 63 pitches were thrown against the Giants at AT&T Park, where Holmes made a spot start to give the rest of the Pirates' rotation a break following a three-game series in Denver.
The Pirates were in need of another relief option since left-hander Steven Brault and Richard Rodriguez were likely unavailable for Tuesday. Brault threw 42 pitches one night earlier, and Feliz, another middle relief option, had not pitched since being recalled 10 days earlier.
Luplow has only eight hits in 46 big-league at-bats this season and struck out as a pinch-hitter Monday. Hurdle said he expected Josh Harrison, who is dealing with a hamstring injury, to be available off the bench. Adam Frazier is starting in center field, which leaves Marte as the only backup outfielder.
Also, the Pirates announced that reliever Casey Sadler, who was designated for assignment last week, has been outrighted to Triple-A Indianapolis.