Kieschnick, Marte called up to bolster roster

PHOENIX -- After dealing Gerardo Parra to the Brewers and Martin Prado to the Yankees at the Trade Deadline, the D-backs called up outfielder Roger Kieschnick and infielder Andy Marte to take their places on the roster.

Despite being a former top-10 prospect according to Baseball America, Marte has not played a Major League game since 2010. In his limited big league time, he struggled with the Braves and Indians, batting .218 with 20 home runs in 302 games.

However, Marte has crushed the ball while playing at Triple-A in the Angels' and D-backs' systems the past two seasons. With Reno this year, he was hitting .330 with 13 home runs and a .898 on-base-plus-slugging percentage.

General manager Kevin Towers said Marte will be part of a platoon system at third with Prado gone. Also getting some time at the position will be Jordan Pacheco, who was in the starting lineup for Thursday's game, and Cliff Pennington, who is making his way back from a left thumb injury.

"For right now, [Pacheco] will be," Towers said when asked who would be the starting third baseman. "Penny's kind of a jack of all trade … but Penny would be a guy who may see some time at third.

"Andy Marte's put together a great Triple-A season and plays solid defense, so we've got some solid internal options."

Manager Kirk Gibson said he would work out a plan for the position in the coming days.

"The team's obviously changed with the personnel," Gibson said, "Looking forward from tomorrow … I'll have a better idea. It's something I want to think out."

Kieschnick has split his time this season between the Major League roster and Triple-A Reno and will primarily be a reserve outfielder.

In his limited time with the D-backs this year, Kieschnick has hit .207 (6-for-29) with one home run.