Morel called up to aid ailing Bucs; Locke optioned

PITTSBURGH -- The Pirates recalled infielder Brent Morel from Triple-A Indianapolis on Saturday, providing manager Clint Hurdle with another option off the bench as Pedro Alvarez and Travis Snider work through injuries.

Left-hander Jeff Locke was optioned to Indianapolis, but that move doesn't mean anything, as Locke will be back on the Bucs' roster after it expands on Monday and will make his scheduled start against the Cardinals on Tuesday.

It's the second move in as many days for the Pirates, who brought up Andrew Lambo on Friday. Alvarez (sprained left foot) and Snider (left hamstring discomfort) were both out of the lineup Saturday, missing their third and second consecutive games, respectively. Hurdle said he did not have a health update on either player as of Saturday afternoon, but mentioned on Friday that both players could be unavailable all weekend against the Reds.

Morel has appeared in 12 games for the Pirates this season, and he has three hits in 21 at-bats (.143 average).