Pirates Call Up Triple-A Hotshot Nick Solak Amidst Chase for .400

The Pittsburgh Pirates called up utility man Nick Solak from Triple-A Indianapolis on Friday, May 16 after a torrid start to the season that saw him lead the classification in batting with a .393 average.

Solak’s on-base percentage (.452) and OPS (1.077) each ranked fourth in Triple-A, while his slugging percentage (.625) checked in just behind at the No. 5 spot. While Solak’s batting average dipped to .390 for the month of May, his OPS ticked up a notch to 1.089 after four doubles, a triple and a homer across 12 games. Solak will wear No. 46, last worn by Jake Woodford.

The 30-year-old made his big league debut with the Texas Rangers in 2019, putting together a .252/.327/.372 slash line with 21 home runs in parts of five seasons (255 games) since then. He’s appeared in just two big league games since the conclusion of the 2022 MLB season, his last big league outing coming as a pinch-runner on June 10, 2023.

In a corresponding move, the Pirates optioned fellow utility man Ji Hwan Bae to Triple-A Indianapolis; they designated Michael Helman for assignment in order to clear a spot for Solak on the 40-man roster.

Pittsburgh will take on the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park from Friday, May 16 to Sunday, May 18 as part of Major League Baseball’s rivalry weekend initiative, giving Solak a chance to work his way into the lineup.