PITTSBURGH (AP) — The Pittsburgh Pirates recalled infielder Argenis Diaz on Wednesday as insurance with two infielders ailing with minor injuries.
The 23-year-old Diaz — acquired in July in a trade with the Boston Red Sox — was batting .231 with two RBIs in 39 at-bats for Triple-A Indianapolis. He is more known for his defense and will provide the Pirates with versatility with both Andy LaRoche (back) and Bobby Crosby (left shoulder) unavailable for Wednesday night's game against Milwaukee.
"It's tough with Bobby not being able to play for two or three more days maybe, we needed somebody who can play all over," Pittsburgh manager John Russell said. "Argenis can play third, shortstop and second. He's the kind of guy we need to help us in case something happened. Unfortunately, (Tuesday) night, if something happened, we'd have been in a little bit of a bind. He gives us the option to play all over."
Left-hander Brian Burres was optioned to Indianapolis to make room on the active roster. Burres appeared in two games, making an emergency spot start April 12 and allowing two runs in four innings of relief Tuesday.
LaRoche hasn't played since leaving Friday's game during the second inning. Crosby is his primary backup at third, but was a late scratch from the lineup before Tuesday's game.
Delwyn Young — normally a second baseman/outfielder — started each of the past two games at third.
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