Pirates recall Jason Rogers, option Cole Figueroa

According to the team's twitter feed, the Pirates have recalled 1B/3B Jason Rogers from Indianapolis and optioned utility infielder Cole Figueroa to AAA.  Rogers was off to a blistering 366/435/683 start through 11 games with the Indians, including a HR yesterday off Homer Bailey.  He'd played half the time as DH and split the rest between first and third.  Figueroa had been used strictly as a backup with the Pirates, going 0-for-9 with no walks or strikeouts, although he'd hit a couple balls well.

It's probably safe to say that Rogers will become the right-handed half of the first base platoon.  In fact, one possible reason for the move may have been that the Pirates weren't wild about using Francisco Cervelli at first against left-handed pitchers.  Sean Rodriguez now becomes the only backup at short and second.  The Pirates had talked during the winter about Rodriguez moving into a more traditional utility infielder role this year, but so far he's spent all but two innings of his time in the field in the infield and outfield corners, which is where he mainly played last year.

The Pirates figure to add Jung-Ho Kang in the not-distant future, although they've already said he won't play short.  Figueroa probably would have headed out at that point, anyway.  Of course, Rogers may not be around past then if the team's crumbling pitching staff doesn't allow it to go back to a seven-man bullpen.