Pirates Recall Nick Mears, Option Luis Ortiz to Triple-A

The Pittsburgh Pirates have added a reinforcement to their bullpen prior to Monday’s matchup with the St. Louis Cardinals.

The Bucs have recalled right-handed pitcher Nick Mears and have optioned fellow right-hander Luis Ortiz to Triple-A Indianapolis.

The 25-year-old Mears has spent parts of the last two seasons with the Pirates. During that time, he has posted a 5.08 ERA with 30 strikeouts and 20 walks in 28.1 innings.

In 23 appearances with Indianapolis this season, Mears went 1-1 with a 4.74 ERA and 27 punch outs in 24.2 innings.

Ortiz made his last start of the season for the Pirates over the weekend against the Cardinals, so optioning him to Triple-A is more of a procedural move.

Ortiz pitched well in his first three outings for the Pirates before allowing six runs in just two-thirds of an inning on Saturday.

In all, Ortiz’s first season in the big leagues finishes with an 0-2 record and a 4.50 ERA with 17 strikeouts in 16 innings across four starts.