Pirates Option Dauri Moreta; Recall Ortiz From Taxi Squad

The Pittsburgh Pirates needed to make room on the active roster for right-hander Luis Ortiz and did so by optioning relief pitcher Dauri Moreta to Triple-A Indianapolis.

Ortiz will start Wednesday’s game against the St. Louis Cardinals after being recalled from the taxi squad/Triple-A Indianapolis.

Moreta has made 50 appearances out of the Pirates’ bullpen this season and is 4-2 with a 4.24 ERA/3.29 FIP. In 51.0 innings pitched, he’s allowed 39 hits. 24 walks and has struck out 66 batters.

The right-hander appeared in Tuesday’s win over the Cardinals and surrendered a pair of runs on three hits and a walk in 1.2 innings of relief.

Over his last six appearances, Moreta has posted a 10.29 ERA (8er/7.0ip) while opponents have hit . 323 against him with a 1.013 OPS.

He missed time earlier this month after landing on the injured list with a back issue on Aug. 4.

Moreta is in his first season with the Pirates after coming over from the Cincinnati Reds in the offseason in the Kevin Newman trade.

Ortiz will make his first start with the Pirates since July 4. The following day, Ortiz was optioned back down to Indianapolis.

Ortiz made six appearances (five starts) back with Indianapolis and went 2-3 with a 7.77 ERA. He walked 16 and struck out 25 in 24.1 innings pitched before being recalled.

In 11 appearances (10 starts) with the Pirates this season, Ortiz is 2-3 with a 4.86 ERA across 53.2 innings. He’s allowed 67 hits (11 home runs), has walked 26 and has recorded 36 strikeouts.