PITTSBURGH -- The Pirates claimed reliever Jhan Marinez off waivers from the Brewers on Friday, adding a big arm to their bullpen.
Marinez, 28, was designated for assignment by Milwaukee on Monday. The right-hander has put together a 5.40 ERA in 16 2/3 innings over 15 appearances this season, but he is coming off a strong 2016 season in which he posted a 3.18 ERA in 62 1/3 innings over 46 outings, three of which came early in the year with the Rays.
The Pirates will announce a corresponding roster move after Marinez joins the team. He will wear No. 52 with the Pirates.
While he is struggling this season, Marinez has posted a 57.4 percent ground-ball rate, which likely made him appealing to the Pirates. Marinez may have also been the victim of some bad luck, as he has allowed a .396 batting average on balls in play, well above the league average.
Marinez's fastball averages 95.1 mph, according to Statcast™ data, and he is capable of pitching multiple innings. The right-hander is out of Minor League options.
It is unclear what role Marinez will play for the Pirates. Their bullpen depth has taken a hit without starter Jameson Taillon, with long reliever Trevor Williams moving into the rotation and forcing them to call up right-hander Joshua Lindblom from Triple-A Indianapolis.
The Bucs have been without veteran left-hander Antonio Bastardo since he was placed on the disabled list on April 25. Bastardo struggled early in the season, posting a 16.20 ERA in six appearances before going on the DL. In his place, Pittsburgh called up right-hander Johnny Barbato, who has put together a 3.00 ERA in 12 innings over seven appearances.
Right-hander Daniel Hudson, a setup man at the beginning of the season, has been relegated to lower-leverage work after a rough start. That has bumped lefty Wade LeBlanc, their other long man to start the season, into a more prominent role in front of southpaw setup man Felipe Rivero and closer Tony Watson.