LOS ANGELES -- The Pirates reshuffled their bench Monday, calling up infielders Chris Bostick and Max Moroff from Triple-A Indianapolis prior to their series opener against the Dodgers. To clear room on the roster, Pittsburgh optioned third catcher Elias Diaz and struggling infielder Phil Gosselin to Triple-A.
With Francisco Cervelli recovered from right foot soreness, Diaz was no longer needed as an emergency catcher. Gosselin, meanwhile, was ineffective in his reserve role this season, batting just .138/.167/.172 and committing five errors at second base through 19 games. The hope is Gosselin can rebound with regular at-bats and playing time in the Minors.
"He needed to go get engaged, have a cluster of at-bats and get some regular activity to get his game back," manager Clint Hurdle said.
Bostick, who was acquired via trade with the Nationals last season, is making his first appearance on a Major League roster. He was hitting .320 (31-for-97) with two home runs and 11 RBIs in 24 games at Triple-A this season and had a 15-game hitting streak end Saturday.
"An unbelievable experience. Hard to fight back tears when I heard about it," Bostick said of his promotion. "I know I'm not in the lineup tonight, but obviously it's the National League, you never know what's going to happen, so I'm ready to go."
Moroff is in his second stint after playing in two games with the Pirates last summer. The 23-year-old switch-hitter was batting .258 (25-for-97) with eight home runs and 17 RBIs in 24 games for Indianapolis.
The addition of Bostick and Moroff gives the Pirates nine rookies on their active roster. Moroff was in the lineup against the Dodgers on Monday, batting eighth and playing second base. Hurdle said he expects both players to be involved early.
"The last thing you want to do is take them out of where they're swinging the bats well in the Minor Leagues and bring them up in the big leagues and not play them for a week," Hurdle said. "We'll look for opportunities to get them engaged sooner than later."
Worth noting
• These bench adjustments may be short-lived, however, as Adam Frazier (left hamstring strain) and David Freese (right hamstring strain) are nearing a return from injuries. Frazier began a rehab assignment with Indianapolis on Monday, playing second and batting second. Freese was put through baserunning drills during batting practice Monday and, after another workout Tuesday afternoon, is scheduled to be re-evaluated Wednesday.