Sanchez recalled; Cumpton optioned to Indianapolis

Dan Zangrilli reports that Tony Sanchez is heading to Southern California to join the Pirates for the Angels series. The Pirates will, of course, need a DH for this series, so it's unclear how the Bucs plan to use Sanchez or what the corresponding move might be. Sanchez could easily DH tomorrow against lefty Jason Vargas.

Of course, there's also the matter of Sanchez deserving a promotion anyway. He has a .951 OPS, and Michael McKenry has been atrocious behind the plate. We'll see if this has anything to do with that, and if Sanchez ends up sticking with the team after the AL series are over.

UPDATE: The Pirates are expected to send Brandon Cumpton back to Indianapolis to make room for Sanchez. That will set the stage for Jeanmar Gomez's return next week.

UPDATE from David Manel (7:10 p.m.): Pirates officially announced that have recalled catcher Tony Sanchez and have optioned RHP Brandon Cumpton to Indianapolis.