Pirates get Welker back, trade Johnson to Twins

The Pirates on Tuesday reacquired right-hander Duke Welker from the Twins in exchange for lefty Kris Johnson.

With the trade, the Bucs essentially got a Mulligan on the "player to be named" in their Aug. 31 acquisition of first baseman Justin Morneau for outfielder Alex Presley. Welker had originally been identified as that player on Oct. 5 after having spent the entire 2013 season in the Pittsburgh organization.

A 6-foot-7 contact pitcher who has primarily been a relief workhorse since being the Pirates' second-round selection in the 2007 First-Year Player Draft, Welker was reacquired as a candidate for bullpen depth. He made his brief Major League debut last season, appearing in a pair of late-June games.

Welker, 27, otherwise spent the season with Triple-A Indianapolis, working in 48 games. He allowed only three home runs in 63 innings, with 65 strikeouts versus 31 walks.

Johnson led Indianapolis with 10 wins and the International League with an ERA of 2.39. However, the 29-year-old Minor League veteran has not been able to live up to his billing as a first-round Draft pick by the Red Sox in 2006.

Signed by the Bucs as a Minor League free agent two years ago, Johnson did author a remarkable big league debut on Aug. 18. Taking over at the start of the 11th inning against Arizona in PNC Park, Johnson blanked the D-backs on two singles for five innings before allowing two runs in the 16th to take a 4-2 loss.

Overall, Johnson was 0-2 with a 6.10 ERA in four appearances for the Pirates.