Optioning Evan Sisk Leaves Pirates With Select Options to Fill Bullpen
The Pittsburgh Pirates announced another round of moves to trim the roster leading up to Opening Day next week.
Among the latest round of cuts was left-handed reliever Evan Sisk, who appeared to at least put himself in position to push for a spot on the club’s initial roster. Sisk made six appearances for the Pirates this spring and allowed a pair of runs on three hits and struck out seven. Ultimately, command issues — six walks in six innings — led to the decision to go in another direction for one of the open spots in the bullpen.
As currently constructed, it looks like five spots in the bullpen are solidified — Dennis Santana, Gregory Soto, Isaac Mattson, Justin Lawrence and Carmen Mlodzinski, assuming he doesn’t start the year in the rotation.
That leaves three spots for the remaining options in camp. Newcomer Mason Montgomery, who was acquired from the Tampa Bay Rays in the offseason, likely saw his chances of making the Opening Day roster improve after Sisk was optioned to Triple-A Indianapolis as a second left-handed option. Through six innings this spring, Montgomery has allowed a pair of runs on six hits with three walks and nine strikeouts — the most of any full-time reliever in camp.
The final two spots in camp are up in the air. One could go to Cam Sanders, who despite a hiccup against the Baltimore Orioles over the weekend still owns a respectable 4.05 ERA with eight strikeouts against one walk in 6.2 innings.
Yohan Ramírez is another option currently on the 40-man roster. The right-hander has totaled 7.1 innings this spring and has allowed three runs on seven hits with a pair of walks and six strikeouts.
If the Pirates are looking for someone to provide length in the bullpen, José Urquidy, who is currently on the 40-man roster, and Mike Clevinger, who would need to be added, fit the bill. Both pitchers are vying for the fifth spot in the Pirates’ rotation.
Chris Devenski and Noah Murdock are among the other possible non-roster invitees still in camp.
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