Pirates Option Cole Tucker to Triple-A

The Pirates have optioned Cole Tucker to Triple-A Indianapolis to make room for Rodolfo Castro on the active roster, who is being recalled from Triple-A.

Tucker has struggled at the plate this season hitting .175 with a .397 OPS. He has yet to draw a walk and has struck out 25 times in 63 plate appearances to begin the season. This season, Tucker has appeared at both middle infield positions and in right field.

Derek Shelton said to reporters, “We need [Tucker] to go down and work on some things.” The move was expected as to go along with his struggles, Tucker has decided to hit solely from the left-side of the plate, as opposed to his usual switch-hitting duties. Tucker will be able to try and get comfortable with left-on-left matchups with Indianapolis.

The 25-year-old will try and figure out a way to have more success at the plate as he tries to work his way back to the big league club as a left-handed hitter.