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Pirates notebook: Presley, McPherson make postseason roster
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MILWAUKEE -- The Pirates made two roster moves Friday to set their postseason roster, should they qualify.
The team recalled outfielder Alex Presley and right-handed pitcher Kyle McPherson from Class AAA Indianapolis.
All postseason rosters had to be set by Friday, and any player on the 25-man roster or the disabled list is eligible to play in the playoffs. Any other player in the organization -- whether or not they are on the 40-man -- could be eligible if a playoff-eligible player goes on the disabled list before the postseason.
Pirates manager Clint Hurdle called Friday "one of the meaningful days in baseball."
The Pirates optioned infielder Chase d'Arnaud to Class A Bradenton, and infielder Jeff Clement cleared waivers and was outrighted to Bradenton. The players were sent to Bradenton, and not Indianapolis, because Bradenton's season ends Sunday, meaning neither would have to wait 10 days before rejoining the Pirates.
D'Arnaud did not see any playing time in two games with the Pirates this season, and Clement went 0 for 6 in five games.
Presley spent most of the season with the Pirates, hitting .234 with eight home runs and nine stolen bases in 77 games. He was optioned to Indianapolis earlier this month so the Pirates could add pitching help for a long stretch of games.
He said it was meaningful that the Pirates made sure he was on the roster by the deadline, which was Friday.
McPherson made his major league debut last week, a relief appearance against the San Diego Padres. He allowed one hit and struck out two in two scoreless innings.
He had a 0.98 ERA in three starts for Indianapolis this season and was 4-7 with a 4.07 ERA in nine starts for Class AA Altoona. He began the season on the disabled list with shoulder inflammation and later had a strained muscle in the back of his shoulder. He will end the season in the bullpen.
"It's definitely been a 180-degree turn," he said.
Hurdle said McPherson was added to "fortify the bullpen," though he could start a game this month. Hurdle said the team would announce today who will take the recently released Erik Bedard's spot in the rotation, though it most likely will be left-handed pitcher Jeff Locke.
The Pirates will make more roster moves today as major league rosters can expand to as many as 40 players for the remainder of the season.
Travis Snider is a future wall of famer.
In a dinner trip with teammates Jared Hughes and Jordy Mercer Thursday in Milwaukee, Snider ate a 40-ounce, bone-in prime rib at Ward's House of Prime Rib, a feat that will earn him a spot among 82 others on the restaurant's "Wall of Fame."
And he did it in less than 15 minutes.
"It was the fastest I've ever seen somebody eat a steak," Hughes said.
Mercer, a native Oklahoman, said it was the biggest steak he has seen, though the restaurant does offer a 168-ounce prime rib.
Snider, who boasts of his ability to eat on his Twitter account, said he probably has eaten more food in one sitting, but never at a restaurant.
"I enjoyed almost every bite," he said. "I kind of choked it down at the end, but when you get that close, you just can't quit."
Andrew McCutchen was not in the starting lineup Friday because Hurdle said he wanted the center fielder to get some extra rest. "If we all could watch the last few games, he's been laying it out there every night," Hurdle said, and an off day following a travel day Thursday allowed McCutchen to rest on consecutive days. ... Neil Walker also was out of the starting lineup as he deals with tightness in his lower back. Hurdle said Walker is slowly improving. "There is some steady progress, just not to the degree he would like to have it," he said. ... Starling Marte, on the 15-day disabled list with a strained oblique, took some swings on the field Friday in a workout.
First Published September 1, 2012 12:41 am
