Pirates claim RHP Beck and catcher Solis off waivers

The Pittsburgh Pirates announced today they have claimed off waivers RHP Chad Beck from the Toronto Blue Jays and catcher Roman (Ali) Solis from the San Diego Padres. The announcement was made by Pirates Senior Vice President, General Manager Neal Huntington. To make room on the 40-man roster for Beck and Solis, the Pirates have designated for assignment catcher Eric Fryer and infielder Jeff Clement.

The 27-year-old Beck spent the majority of 2012 in Triple-A Las Vegas where he compiled a 2-0 record and a 1.31 ERA (48.0ip/7er) in 43 appearances. He converted 18 save opportunities (4th in the Pacific Coast League) and struck out 24 as opposing hitters batted just .218 against him. Beck began the season allowing just three earned runs in his first 28 appearances (0.94 ERA/28.2 IP) and was named to the 2012 Mid-Season PCL All-Star squad.

He appeared in 14 games with the Blue Jays this season and did not allow a run in seven of his appearances while registering a 6.32 ERA (15.2ip/11er) out of the bullpen. He made his Major League debut with the Blue Jays on September 13, 2011 and in three appearances did not allow a run while striking out three in 2.1 IP. Beck was originally drafted in the 14th round of the 2006 First-Year-Player-Draft by the Arizona Diamondbacks.

The 25-year-old Solis (pronounced SO-lees) batted .283 (93-for-329) with 25 doubles, six home runs and 40 runs batted in and registered a .307 on-base percentage in 87 games with Double-A San Antonio this season. Solis batted .344 (31-for-90) with runners in scoring position and .424 (14-for-33) with RISP and two out as he was named a Texas League Mid-Season and Post Season All-Star. Behind the dish at San Antonio, Solis committed just six errors as he registered a .991 fielding percentage. He also ranked fourth in the league, catching 29 of 104 would-be base stealers (28 percent). Overall last season, Solis combined to throw out 36 of 101 would-be base stealers (36 percent). In addition, Solis appeared in five games with San Diego in September this season.

Solis was originally signed by the Padres as an amateur free agent in 2005.