{"id":82471,"date":"2024-08-08T18:49:06","date_gmt":"2024-08-08T22:49:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/?p=82471"},"modified":"2024-08-08T18:49:06","modified_gmt":"2024-08-08T22:49:06","slug":"pirates-roster-moves-holderman-jones-palacios-olivares","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/2024\/08\/08\/pirates-roster-moves-holderman-jones-palacios-olivares\/","title":{"rendered":"Pirates Roster Moves and Rehab Assignments Portend More Roster Shuffling"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>On Thursday, the Pittsburgh Pirates announced three roster moves after announcing that two players would begin rehab assignments. Let\u2019s look at the impact these moves will have on the Pirates in the near and distant future.<\/p>\n<h2>Pirates Roster Moves and Rehab Assignments Portend More Shuffling<\/h2>\n<p>Starting pitcher <a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/search\/search.fcgi?pid=jonesja09,jones-013jar&amp;search=Jared+Jones&amp;utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2024-08-08_br\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Jared Jones<\/a> and outfielder <a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/p\/palacjo01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2024-08-08_br\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Joshua Palacios<\/a> joined the Triple-A Indianapolis Indians in Nashville on Thursday. The Indians haven\u2019t announced Thursday&#8217;s starter against the Sounds as of this writing, but Jones is expected to make the start. Meanwhile, relief pitcher <a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/h\/holdeco01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2024-08-08_br\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Colin Holderman<\/a> has been placed on the injured list with a right wrist sprain. Pitcher <a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/h\/hellebe01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2024-08-08_br\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Ben Heller<\/a> has been called up from Indy to take his place. To make room for Heller on the 40-man roster, outfielder <a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/o\/olivaed02.shtml?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2024-08-08_br\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Edward Olivares<\/a>, who had been in Indianapolis, has been designated for assignment.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\">We have selected the contract of RHP Ben Heller from Triple-A Indianapolis, and placed RHP Colin Holderman on the 15-day injured list.<\/p>\n<p>OF Edward Olivares has been designated for assignment to make room for Heller on the 40-man roster.<\/p>\n<p>In addition, OF Joshua Palacios and RHP\u2026<\/p>\n<p>\u2014 Pittsburgh Pirates (@Pirates) <a  href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/Pirates\/status\/1821585217192083939?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">August 8, 2024<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<h3>Holderman to the IL<\/h3>\n<p>If Holderman has been dealing with the wrist issue for a while, it might explain his recent performance. By June 22, he had 13 holds, a 0.68 ERA, and 2.87 FIP and was arguably the Pirates\u2019 best reliever. Since then, however, he\u2019s 0-5 with two holds, three blown saves, a 7.63 ERA, and a 7.15 FIP. Opponents hit .365\/.440\/.683 with five homers against Holderman during that stretch.<\/p>\n<p>The IL stint should allow the right-handed Holderman to step back and put his recent failures behind him. Meanwhile, the question becomes who takes Holderman\u2019s place in the late-inning, high-leverage situations. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/b\/bednada01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2024-08-08_br\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">David Bednar<\/a>, of course, remains the closer despite not being his usual crack self this season. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/c\/chapmar01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2024-08-08_br\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Aroldis Chapman<\/a> will likely see more work in the eighth inning. However, as Pirates starters (or any major league starters) rarely make it past the sixth inning, a third high-leverage alternative is needed. Hard-throwing rookie right-hander <a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/n\/nicolky01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2024-08-08_br\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Kyle Nicolas<\/a> seems to be a <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/2024\/08\/06\/pirates-bullpen-nicolas-important-role\/\" target=\"_self\">logical candidate<\/a>. Since June 23, he\u2019s 2-1 with three holds. More importantly, he has a 0.89 ERA and 3.17 FIP during that stretch, while holding opponents to a .203\/.294\/.230 slash line.<\/p>\n<p>Even so, manager <a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/managers\/sheltde99.shtml\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Derek Shelton<\/a> seems to prefer rookie righty <a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/s\/strathu01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2024-08-08_br\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Hunter Stratton<\/a> over Nicolas in pressure situations. Stratton has a 3.68 ERA, 1.173 WHIP, and 3.25 FIP. He\u2019s been unscored upon in five appearances since coming off the IL on July 30. <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/2024\/07\/29\/pirates-trade-jalen-beeks-rockies\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_self\">Recently acquired<\/a> lefty <a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/b\/beeksja02.shtml?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2024-08-08_br\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Jalen Beeks<\/a> could be a candidate for late-inning work, too. His pitching has exceeded expectations so far. Shelton has to like his take-the-ball attitude. Look for Stratton and Beeks to fill the late-inning vacancy, depending on matchups. Pirates fans will welcome any change to a bullpen that has 24 blown saves in 2024.<br \/>\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/PtTDdGpHe2E?si=0nrLnRyjOWqeMs07\" width=\"560\" height=\"315\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<h3>Jones on Rehab Assignment<\/h3>\n<p>Jones beginning his rehab assignment may be the most significant of these roster moves for the Pirates. Although most of the Pirates\u2019 pitching problems have come from a leaky bullpen, the eventual return of Jones to the active roster will be a boost for the Bucs. Before going on the IL, the fearless rookie was 5-6 with a 3.56 ERA and 1.110 WHIP. He\u2019s pitched better than his numbers indicate, but like his teammate <a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/s\/skenepa01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2024-08-08_br\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Paul Skenes<\/a>, he\u2019s been victimized by a weak offense and an ineffective bullpen.<\/p>\n<p>Currently, the Pirates\u2019 rotation consists of Skenes, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/k\/kellemi03.shtml?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2024-08-08_br\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Mitch Keller<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/f\/falteba01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2024-08-08_br\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Bailey Falter<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/g\/gonzama02.shtml?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2024-08-08_br\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Marco Gonzales<\/a>, and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/search\/search.fcgi?pid=ortizlu03,ortizlu02,ortizlu01,ortiz-014lui&amp;search=Luis+Ortiz&amp;utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2024-08-08_br\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Luis Ortiz<\/a>. Skenes and Keller are locks to remain in the rotation when Jones returns. It seems like Falter should be banished to the bullpen to make room for Jones. He blamed tiredness on a rough four-inning outing in Cincinnati on June 24. However, Shelton continued to employ him in the rotation, and Falter was inserted there again on July 30 when he returned from an IL stint.<\/p>\n<p>Ortiz was a godsend when he joined the rotation on June 26. Unfortunately, he hasn\u2019t been as good lately. At Arizona on July 26, he gave up three runs in five innings. Against that same team at home on August 2, the Diamondbacks set a major-league record when their first four batters accumulated 15 total bases, including back-to-back-to-back home runs. \u00a0Ortiz began Thursday\u2019s start by surrendering two two-run homers. His recent outings, combined with how effective he\u2019s been out of the bullpen, could force him out of the rotation when Jones returns.<\/p>\n<p>Heller was with the Pirates in June, when he gave up 12 runs in two innings in mop-up roles. Barring an injury, he\u2019ll likely be on the Pirates active roster only until Jones moves up from Indy.<\/p>\n<h3>Palacios on Rehab Assignment<\/h3>\n<p>The return of the left-handed hitting Palacios can\u2019t come soon enough for the Pirates. His boundless energy and enthusiasm give the club a boost. Palacios has always seemed to be in the middle of a rally. Pirates observers looking at his .230\/.319\/.344 slash line have to do a double-take. Even his -0.4 WPA is unfathomable.<\/p>\n<p>Which outfielder goes when Palacios returns? Center fielder <a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/t\/taylomi02.shtml?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2024-08-08_br\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Michael A. Taylor<\/a> is hitting just .196. Taylor, who was <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/2024\/03\/15\/michael-a-taylor-signs-pirates\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_self\">signed for $4 million<\/a> in the spring, has been with the Pirates all season long. This writer has <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/2024\/07\/05\/pirates-palacios-taylor\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_self\">predicted his demise<\/a> many times this season, but his spot seems secure. Somehow, Shelton has shown an affinity for certain guys who can\u2019t hit. Last year, it was <a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/h\/hedgeau01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2024-08-08_br\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Austin Hedges<\/a>, and in 2021, it was <a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/t\/tomka01.shtml\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Ka\u2019ai Tom<\/a>. This year, it\u2019s Taylor and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/g\/grandya01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2024-08-08_br\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Yasmani Grandal<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>In any event, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/b\/baeji01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2024-08-08_br\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Ji Hwan Bae<\/a> is making this decision easy for the Pirates. The speedy Bae is hitting just .191\/.264\/.213. The on-base skills he\u2019s flashed in the minors still haven\u2019t translated to the big time and he can\u2019t bunt. Sending Bae back to Indy will be an easy call when Palacios is activated.<\/p>\n<p>Palacios has mostly played right field as a Pirate. He\u2019s unlikely to replace <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/2024\/07\/30\/pirates-trade-de-la-cruz\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_self\">recent trade acquisition<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/d\/delacbr01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2024-08-08_br\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Bryan De La Cruz<\/a> there, although he may spell him once in a while. Nevertheless, given some brief looks in center field this season (15 innings in four games), Palacios looks like he can handle it. The bet here is that he will be out there on a platoon basis with Taylor. However they do it, the Pirates need Palacios to be an important part of the team. Having just lost five of six games in an important homestand, they could use a shot in the arm from baseball\u2019s equivalent of the Energizer Bunny.<\/p>\n<h3>Olivares Designated for Assignment<\/h3>\n<p>Of all the roster moves, it\u2019s a surprise to see Pittsburgh send Olivares off to DFA land. After picking him up in a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mlb.com\/press-release\/press-release-pirates-acquire-outfielder-edward-olivares-from-kansas-city\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">trade<\/a> with the Kansas City Royals last December, the Pirates had hopes that he could contribute to their offense. In his first 11 games, he was hitting .308\/.357\/.564 with three home runs, while playing right field better than advertised. After that, however, things took a downward spiral, as he hit .200\/.273\/.267 from April 16 until he was <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/2024\/07\/09\/pirates-priester-up-olivares-down\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_self\">sent to Triple-A<\/a> on July 9.<\/p>\n<p>With the addition of De La Cruz, the returns of Palacios and Bae from the IL, and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/j\/joeco01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2024-08-08_br\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Connor Joe<\/a> in the mix, Olivares dropped far down the right-field food chain. If reinforcements for the outfield are needed from Triple-A, the Pirates can turn to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/s\/suwinja01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2024-08-08_br\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Jack Suwinski<\/a>, former major leaguer <a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/m\/mckinbi01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2024-08-08_br\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Billy McKinney<\/a>, or even <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/2024\/08\/01\/pirates-trade-cook-best-of-all\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_self\">recently acquired<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/register\/player.fcgi?id=cook--000bil&amp;utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2024-08-08_br\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Billy Cook<\/a>. Meanwhile, Olivares is now exposed to a waiver claim. If he clears waivers, he can elect free agency or accept an assignment to Indy.<\/p>\n<p>Give general manager Ben Cherington some credit here. One may have legitimate <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/2024\/06\/28\/pirates-midseason-report-card\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_self\">complaints<\/a> about his Pirates tenure, but he doesn\u2019t make roster moves to save face. He\u2019ll move on from a player he\u2019s acquired if things don\u2019t work out as planned.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Photo Credit: \u00a9 Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>On Thursday, the Pittsburgh Pirates announced three roster moves after announcing that two players would begin rehab assignments. Let\u2019s look at the impact these moves will have on the Pirates in the near and distant future. Pirates Roster Moves and Rehab Assignments Portend More Shuffling Starting pitcher Jared Jones and outfielder Joshua Palacios joined the [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5010,"featured_media":82494,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"no","_lmt_disable":"","sfio_featured_image":false,"sfio_embed_code":"","_ef_editorial_meta_date_first-draft-date":"","_ef_editorial_meta_paragraph_assignment":"","_ef_editorial_meta_checkbox_needs-photo":"","_ef_editorial_meta_number_word-count":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[26,1071,35],"tags":[209,6258,5685,5829,3718,6318,3720,6213,6136,6371],"class_list":["post-82471","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-pirates","category-mlb","category-news","tag-aroldis-chapman","tag-bailey-falter","tag-colin-holderman","tag-david-bednar","tag-jared-jones","tag-josh-palacios","tag-kyle-nicolas","tag-luis-ortiz","tag-michael-a-taylor","tag-paul-skenes"],"modified_by":"Lewis Masella, Site Editor","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/82471","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/5010"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=82471"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/82471\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/82494"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=82471"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=82471"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=82471"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}