ST. LOUIS -- The Pirates added to their bullpen depth on Monday, acquiring right-hander Johnny Barbato from the Yankees for a player to be named later or cash.
Barbato, 24, was optioned to Triple-A Indianapolis. Designated for assignment by the Yankees on Wednesday, Barbato now has a spot on the Pirates' 40-man roster.
The Yankees stretched out Barbato as a starter this spring. He will report to Indianapolis as a reliever, and the Pirates will determine his ideal role as they move forward.
Barbato appeared in 13 games as a rookie for the Yankees last season, going 1-2 with a 7.62 ERA after cracking their Opening Day roster. He allowed 13 hits, including two homers, and five walks while striking out 15 in 13 innings. He made one four-inning start for Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre this season before being removed from New York's 40-man roster.
A sixth-round pick of the Padres in 2010, Barbato was traded to the Yankees in '14 for reliever Shawn Kelley. He posted a 2.61 ERA in 48 1/3 innings over 31 appearances in Triple-A last year.
The move bolsters the Bucs' organizational pitching depth, which took a hit after they released veteran Jared Hughes (now with the Brewers) and sent Rule 5 Draft pick Tyler Webb back to the Yankees at the end of Spring Training. The Pirates prefer to have at least two multiple-inning relievers in their bullpen, and Barbato appears to fit that profile.
Pittsburgh's bullpen is set for now, with veteran left-hander Antonio Bastardo the only reliever who has struggled to begin the season. The Pirates have a handful of other bullpen options available on their 40-man roster, if a need arises, including Triple-A right-handers A.J. Schugel and Pat Light.