Pirates Option Ryder Ryan, Clearing Spot for Possible Colin Holderman Return

The Pittsburgh Pirates have optioned relief pitcher Ryder Ryan to Triple-A Indianapolis.

Ryan pitched 5.1 innings across four appearances out of the bullpen to begin the season. The right-hander allowed four runs on six hits, struck out six and walked a pair.

In his first appearance of the season, Ryan earned his first-career win after throwing 1.2-scoreless innings with a pair of strikeouts against the Miami Marlins. Since then, Ryan has been scored upon in each of his last three outings.

The move creates a spot on the Pirates’ roster for Colin Holderman, who was on the club’s taxi squad for their game against the Detroit Tigers on Tuesday.

Holderman has been rehabbing since being placed on the 15-day injured list to begin the year due to an illness.

In four rehab appearances with Triple-A Indianapolis, Holderman has allowed three runs on three hits in 3.2 innings. He’s only issued one walk and has struck out five.

Last season with the Pirates, Holderman went 0-3 with a 3.86 ERA across 58 appearances with 58 strikeouts and 20 walks in 56 innings pitched.

The Pirates are off on Wednesday, so official word of the corresponding move will be announced on Thursday prior to their game against the Phillies in Philadelphia.