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The Pittsburgh Pirates today announced something that many expected.
The Pittsburgh Pirates just announced that they have placed Chad Kuhl on the DL, and have called up INF Max Moroff from Triple-A indianapolis:
ROSTER MOVE: The Pirates have placed Chad Kuhl on the 10-day DL with a right forearm strain (retro to June 27) and have recalled Max Moroff from AAA Indy.
— Pirates (@Pirates) June 29, 2018
The move to put Kuhl on the DL comes as no surprise. Neither was the fact that Moroff was called up. The Pirates tempted fate without a true backup middle infielder on the roster during the team’s June 27th contest with the New York Mets, necessitating the move for Moroff.
Though general manager Neal Huntington has repeatedly stresses his comfort level with SS/2B prospect Kevin Newman, Moroff gets the call.
The Pirates won’t need to replace Kuhl’s spot in the starting rotation until Monday July 2nd against the Los Angeles Dodgers, which would have been Kuhl’s turn. It would be highly surprising if the club called up anyone other than Nick Kingham. Expect to see either Jose Osuna, who has been used sparingly as of late, or newly called up reliever Tanner Anderson as the corresponding move for Kingham’s callup.
Despite carrying Steven Brault and Tyler Glasnow on the 25-man roster, neither are thought of as able to be stretched out back into a a starter in time to replace Kuhl.