Burnett to 15-day DL with elbow inflammation

CINCINNATI -- The dramatic midseason transformation of the Pirates came with a significant Friday sidebar, when right-hander A.J. Burnett was placed on the 15-day disabled list with inflammation in his right elbow.

Additionally, righty Deolis Guerra was designated for assignment by the Bucs.

The two moves opened up roster spots for relievers Joakim Soria, who was acquired in a Thursday deal from Detroit, and left-hander Bobby LaFromboise, recalled from Triple-A Indianapolis.

These were just pit stops on the Pittsburgh roster's conveyor belt. Two more moves will have to be made when left-hander A.J. Happ and first baseman/outfielder Michael Morse -- acquired in Friday Deadline deals -- check in.

Burnett and Guerra had combined to allow 14 of the runs in Thursday's 15-5 loss to the Reds.

For Burnett, the 38-year-old recently basking in the first All-Star selection of his 17-year career, it was clear something was off since the midseason break. He allowed 10-plus hits in each of his three starts of the second half -- something he had never done even two straight times in his previous 422 career starts.

LaFromboise, who spent a brief four-day stint earlier this season with the Pirates, put up a 2.72 ERA in 42 appearances with Indianapolis. He comes up in the midst of a hot streak, having allowed only one earned run in his past 17 outings, none in the past seven.