ST. LOUIS – The Pirates will be calling up top pitching prospect Roansy Contreras from Class AAA Indianapolis, per sources.

While an official move is not yet announced, it can be safely assumed that Duane Underwood Jr., who was removed mid-outing in the regular season opener on Thursday with a hamstring injury, will be placed on the injured list ahead of the Pirates’ next game Saturday.

Contreras, 22, is ranked as the No. 80 prospect, according to Baseball America and is No. 4 in the Pirates’ system.

He was originally scheduled to make his season debut with Indianapolis Saturday.

While it is a bit odd to be promoting a top starting prospect in order to replace a reliever, Contreras is the only pitcher left on the 40 man roster who is not either in the majors or on the injured list.

With rosters expanded to 28 players for April, the Pirates could have promoted another position player, but they are about to embark on a stretch of 16 games in 16 days, and because of the abbreviated spring training, their starting pitchers are not fully stretched out yet.

The Pirates currently have a rotation planned out of Mitch Keller on Saturday, Bryse Wilson on Sunday, Zach Thompson on Monday and José Quintana for the home opener on Tuesday. JT Brubaker started the opener Thursday.

Pitching coach Oscar Marin told me the Pirates have explored the possibility of six-man rotations or piggyback starters for the early part of this season, and Contreras could potentially fill either of those roles.

Contreras made his major-league debut last year, albeit a three inning cameo at the end of the season. One of the players the Pirates got in return from the Yankees in the Jameson Taillon trade, Contreras has two high spin breaking pitches, a fastball that can ramp up to the upper-90s and a changeup.

He allowed three earned runs over three innings with two strikeouts, two walks and two home runs in his two spring training outings this year.

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