Pirates option Kyle Lobstein, promote Cole Figueroa

The Pirates have optioned Kyle Lobstein to Indianapolis and recalled Cole Figueroa to take his place. This means that the Bucs are back to having seven relievers and five bench players, as they typically prefer. Figueroa probably got the call for two reasons. First, Jason Rogers was optioned on May 5 and therefore wasn't yet eligible to return, and second, with Jung Ho Kang back and David Freese now on the Pirates' bench, the Bucs had greater need for a middle infielder anyway. The Pirates typically like to have two middle infield backups, and Figueroa helps with that.

Figueroa went 0-for-9 for the Bucs earlier this year. Since then, he's batted .340/.367/.532 in 49 plate appearances for Indianapolis. Lobstein, meanwhile, had posted a 4.79 ERA, 6.1 K/9 and 3.9 BB/9 in 20.2 uninspiring innings of relief for the Bucs. Unless they have a 20-inning game this series, he won't be missed much.