Pirates Transactions
Pirates Option Contreras, Castro; Reassign Four Others
The Pirates continued to trim their spring training roster on Saturday by optioning right-handed pitcher Roansy Contreras and infielder Rodolfo Castro to Triple-A Indianapolis. Additionally, right-handers Yerry De Los Santos, Hunter Stratton and Enmanuel Mejia and lefty Blake Weiman were all reassigned to minor league camp.
Contreras is arguably the Pirates top pitching prospect but will head to Indianapolis to begin the season. The 22-year old made his big league debut late last season against the Cubs, tossing three scoreless innings, but had made just one Triple-A start before that.
Castro had an outside chance of cracking the Opening Day roster for the Bucs, but instead will join Contreras at Triple-A to start the season. Castro became the first player as far back as stat trackers could find to record home runs for each of the first five hits to begin his career last season.
Of the quartet of relievers who were reassigned, De Los Santos, Stratton and Weiman could all contribute for the Pirates at some point this season with all three having reached the Triple-A level already. Mejia was named the Pirates minor league relief pitcher of the year after posting a 0.42 ERA between Bradenton and Greensboro last season.
The Pirates spring training roster now sits at 47.