BRADENTON, Fla. -- The Pirates are painting a clearer picture of their opening day roster. And a series of cuts Monday likely settled two camp battles.
Right-hander Geoff Hartlieb, a mainstay in the bullpen in 2020, was optioned to minor-league camp, while right-hander Steven Wright and outfielder Brian Goodwin and infielder Wilmer Difo, all of whom were on minor-league contracts, were reassigned before Monday's game against the Twins. After the game, Chasen Shreve and Chase De Jong were both reassigned to minor-league camp as well.
Hartlieb was an optionable right-hander with a 7.11 ERA this spring. He held a 3.63 ERA in 22 appearances for the Pirates last season, but couldn’t carve out a spot among the massive influx of right-handers brought in by the club this offseason.
Difo and Goodwin were options for bench roles on the opening day roster. Difo is third on the team with 40 at-bats while batting .275/.356/.325 with two doubles and three RBIs. He was likely beat out for the lone backup infielder role by Erik Gonzalez, who is batting .308 with a .782 OPS this spring.
Goodwin was batting .229 with a pair of doubles, a homer and six RBIs before being reassigned. Goodwin’s loss in the roster battle with Dustin Fowler probably wasn't the product of a performance-based decision. Fowler has a .194 spring average with a .531 OPS. But he also doesn't have any options remaining and would have to go through waivers if he didn't make the club.
Goodwin, being on a minor-league deal, can remain under team control at the alternate site.
While Derek Shelton did not name a starting center fielder, it will be between Anthony Alford and Fowler.
Shelton mentioned that defensive versatility was an important factor in the decision to let Todd Frazier walk. Phillip Evans has been getting some innings in right field and first base in addition to his natural spot in the middle infield. He’s also been one of the Pirates that’s tearing the cover off the ball, batting .406 with a .925 OPS and eight RBIs this spring.
Wright has only been with the club for a week. He’s going to need some time to stretch out, and he hasn’t faced a batter in a professional setting for nearly two years.
Derek Shelton named Michael Perez the backup catcher over Tony Wolters after the game Monday. Perez is already on the 40-man roster, so no additional move is needed.
A source also tells DK Pittsburgh Sports that right-hander David Bednar made the team as well after his stellar spring.
Luis Oviedo, the Rule 5 right-hander from the Indians, also looks like a lock to make the team despite having an abbreviated spring because of visa issues.
Cherington said the Pirates will need another day to share the full roster since there are still a few moves to make.