Though the Bucs have called up pitcher Wilfredo Boscan three times, he is still waiting to make his Major League debut. Boscan will get another opportunity to play after the Pirates' most recent slew of roster moves, made to strengthen a struggling bullpen.
Before their last game of a four-game series with the Braves, the Pirates called up Boscan from Indianapolis, optioning Cory Luebke to Triple-A. Boscan was 3-4 with a 2.48 ERA in seven starts for Indianapolis this season.
Pirates manager Clint Hurdle especially values Boscan's ability to pitch multiple innings.
"[Boscan] continues to show up and do well and do everything that's asked of him," Hurdle said. "And hopefully this time we can get him involved and he can help us. And we believe with the multiple-inning role needed in our club right now, he fits that."
Boscan tried not to get frustrated during the times he was called up but not called on to play. Instead, he tried to impress during his time in Triple-A so when the opportunity to pitch arose, he could take advantage of it.
"The first time when I got called up, I got it in my mind, 'If I'm going to pitch, I'm going to pitch.' I have to be ready," Boscan said. "I got the opportunity and then they sent me down, and I'm like 'OK, I have to prepare. Keep working. Put numbers up here in Triple-A.' And I did last year. And now, I started in Triple-A, I had a good year, and now, I've got the opportunity here and I want to do the best I can."
Luebke, who hadn't pitched in the Major Leagues since 2012 before this season, accrued a 14.73 ERA in 3 2/3 innings pitched this year. Luebke suffered a hamstring injury in the first week of Spring Training and re-aggravated the injury the first week of the season.
"The touches we gave Luebke the other night, saw four hitters, saw three of them left-handed, and it didn't end well," Hurdle said. "Weren't good matchups. It's a quick look, it's not ultra-fair. However, our bullpen, we're still trying to figure some things out."
In addition, Alen Hanson was optioned back down to Triple-A in response to left fielder Starling Marte's return from a three-day paternity leave. The Pirates transferred catcher Elias Diaz was from the 15-day disabled list to the 60-day DL in order to make room for Boscan on the 40-man roster.