Bucs claim righty reliever Knudson from Tigers

PITTSBURGH -- The Pirates claimed right-hander Guido Knudson off waivers from the Tigers on Monday, adding more bullpen depth to their roster.

Knudson, 26, went 1-2 with 11 saves and a 2.56 ERA in 40 Minor League appearances last season while spending most of the year with Triple-A Toledo. Knudson made his Major League debut for the Tigers in August, giving up 10 runs and five home runs in five innings over four appearances.

Knudson is the first pitcher since at least 1914 to give up a home run in each of his first four Major League relief appearances. But he thrived in the Minors, striking out 60 batters and allowing only three homers in 59 2/3 innings.

A 28th-round Draft pick in 2011, Knudson has put together a 6-14 record, 3.12 ERA and 18 saves while holding opposing hitters to a .236 average in five Minor League seasons.

This is the second time this fall the Bucs have claimed a right-handed reliever on the waiver wire. Last month, they picked up 27-year-old right-hander Jorge Rondon from the Orioles.

The Pirates now have 34 players on their 40-man roster.