PITTSBURGH -- The Pirates have had their eyes on reliever Jhan Marinez for a while now, manager Clint Hurdle said. The right-hander throws a hard two-seam fastball and produces ground balls while pitching multiple innings, a trio of traits the Bucs value out of the bullpen.
For the Pirates to get the 28-year-old right-hander, he had to struggle. Marinez posted a 5.40 ERA and 2.04 WHIP for the Brewers in 15 appearances to start the season, so Milwaukee designated him for assignment on Monday. That made him available to the Pirates, who claimed Marinez off waivers on Friday and added him to their roster on Saturday.