With Oneil Cruz on the injured list, the Pirates have added to their outfield depth by recalling Esmerlyn Valdez from Class AAA Indianapolis. They optioned Davis Wendzel as the corresponding move.
Valdez, 22, is in his second stint with the Pirates after initially being recalled on May 22 and making his major-league debut that night in Toronto. Valdez went 2 for 16 with two home runs, five RBIs and two walks in five games from May 22-27 before being optioned back to Indianapolis on May 28.
Even without Cruz, the Pirates now have five full-time outfielders on the active roster with Bryan Reynolds, Ryan O'Hearn, Jake Mangum, Billy Cook and EsmerlynValdez. The latter has never plated center field in his career, but it seems as if Mangum and Cook may be tasked with carrying the load at that position in Cruz's absence. Reynolds has played in over 300 major-league games out in center, but he hasn't played there since 2023.
THE ASYLUM
Valdez recalled from Indy
With Oneil Cruz on the injured list, the Pirates have added to their outfield depth by recalling Esmerlyn Valdez from Class AAA Indianapolis. They optioned Davis Wendzel as the corresponding move.
Valdez, 22, is in his second stint with the Pirates after initially being recalled on May 22 and making his major-league debut that night in Toronto. Valdez went 2 for 16 with two home runs, five RBIs and two walks in five games from May 22-27 before being optioned back to Indianapolis on May 28.
Even without Cruz, the Pirates now have five full-time outfielders on the active roster with Bryan Reynolds, Ryan O'Hearn, Jake Mangum, Billy Cook and Esmerlyn Valdez. The latter has never plated center field in his career, but it seems as if Mangum and Cook may be tasked with carrying the load at that position in Cruz's absence. Reynolds has played in over 300 major-league games out in center, but he hasn't played there since 2023.
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