Pirates call up 6, including Snider and Diaz

MILWAUKEE -- The Pirates dipped into their very recent past -- Travis Snider was back in his familiar Black & Gold No. 23 -- and glimpsed the future -- meteoric catching prospect Elias Diaz wore the widest smile in Miller Park's visitors' clubhouse -- as Minor League callups joined manager Clint Hurdle's arsenal Tuesday.

As expected, Snider and Diaz were among six players added to the expanded roster, along with outfielder Jaff Decker, lefty Bobby LaFromboise and right-handers Radhames Liz and Rob Scahill -- who was recalled from his rehab assignment (forearm tightness) and activated off the disabled list.

Infielder Pedro Florimon and veteran right-hander Vance Worley may not be far behind, with Hurdle confirming, "We may not be done. I anticipate seeing [Florimon] sooner rather than later [and] there is a real good opportunity [Worley] will rejoin us."

The reunion with Snider is done. Extremely popular, and productive, during the Bucs' 2014 run to the playoffs, Snider batted .314 in 10 games with Triple-A Indianapolis after the Pirates re-signed him following his release by the Orioles. That offensive awakening came after Snider had batted .083 (3-for-36) in his last 13 games in Baltimore.

"It's great to be back with the boys," Snider said. "Now let's see if we can finish this off."

The Orioles had released Snider on Aug. 15, and the Pirates jumped at the opportunity to bring him back, in hindsight glad to not have been able to work out a deal for Jeff Francoeur. The Pirates had earlier made a waiver claim on the strong-armed outfielder, enjoying a solid renaissance season with the Phillies, but weren't able to make a deal after Philadelphia withdrew his name from the waiver list.

Video: PIT@CIN: Snider gives Pirates lead with double in 8th

Of all the additions, done or yet to come, Diaz -- the Pirates' 14th-ranked prospect according to MLBPipeline.com -- is the only one who will be making his big league debut.

"I've worked hard and, this year, everything came together," said Diaz, whose bat caught up to his defensive reputation as he batted .271 with Indianapolis. "I feel like a big leaguer."

Hurdle confirmed Diaz will be an option off the bench "later in games" and Liz would resume serving as a long man in the bullpen.

Tuesday's moves set the active roster at 31. Florimon, Worley, Travis Ishikawa (making good progress from a lower-back strain and likely to come off the DL when eligible on Sept. 7) and A.J. Burnett (on track for a mid-September comeback) would make 35 -- which Hurdle cited as a "hard max."

"That's the most you can manage and make work up here," Hurdle said. "Any more, and it gets out of hand. We want to add people we believe can help us win a game."