Bucs place Barmes on disabled list

PITTSBURGH -- Clint Barmes was placed on the 15-day disabled with a left groin strain on Sunday, and the Pirates called up infielder Michael Martinez from Triple-A Indianapolis to take his spot on the 25-man roster.

Barmes, 35, has played in 42 games for the Bucs this season, often appearing as a defensive substitute. The injury is likely to sideline him for a month to six weeks. At the plate in his third season with the Pirates, Barmes has a slash line of .239/.320/.284 in 88 at-bats.

Martinez was promoted for his defensive flexibility, as he can play shortstop, second and third base and center field. Barmes' injury will also mean more time in the infield for utilityman Josh Harrison.

Pirates general manager Neal Huntington said the team would prefer to stay within the franchise to fill Barmes' void, and he mentioned Triple-A infielder Robert Andino and newly signed Dean Anna (also in Triple-A) as other potential players who could join the big league club at some point.

"You always hope the internal option is the best option, but we wouldn't be doing our jobs if we didn't look for external options," Huntington said. "Josh will get more time at short. He was probably going to get time at short anyway; he'll get more time now. Martinez will take Barmes' role as that versatile defender off the bench."

This is Martinez's second stint with the Pirates this season. He was also with them for a June series in Miami, in which he made one start against the Marlins, going 0-for-3. Martinez was in the opposite clubhouse of his former team, the Phillies, as the Pirates wrapped up a three-game set with their Keystone State foes on Sunday.

Entering Sunday, Martinez had played in 163 Major League games, hitting .185 with a .493 OPS. At Indianapolis this season, the 31-year-old has hit .252 in 79 games and was batting at a .423 clip in his past eight contests.