With Harrison hobbled, Bucs call up Martinez

PITTSBURGH -- Josh Harrison may not be a candidate to take his sore left ankle to the disabled list, but with two middle infielders possibly out of commission for the short run, the Pirates got some reinforcement by selecting the contract of Michael Martinez from Triple-A Indianapolis on Thursday.

Right-hander Casey Sadler was optioned back to Indianapolis to clear roster space for Martinez, who had put himself in line for this promotion with a strong Spring Training performance.

Harrison twisted his ankle early in Wednesday night's game, and was only a long shot to be available off the bench Thursday. He had started in place of Neil Walker, who is on the 15-day disabled list recovering from an appendectomy.

Other than having to do it in an ankle brace, Harrison appeared to be walking around the clubhouse comfortably. He deferred questions about his condition to manager Clint Hurdle.

"He's gone through different tests and drills," Hurdle said, "and the best thing to come out of that is, we don't feel he's a DL candidate. We think he's improved. He could possibly be used off the bench tonight."

Martinez signed a Minor League contract with Pittsburgh in December after refusing a Minor League assignment by the Phillies, for whom he had appeared in 29 games last season, and 162 from 2011-13.

A versatile defensive and offensive player, the 31-year-old Martinez is a pepper pot 5-foot-9 switch-hitter able to play anywhere in the outfield and the infield, with the exception of first base.

He was batting just .229 in 61 games with the Indians, but he had hit .382 in 18 Grapefruit League games this spring.