Today the Pirates designate 1B/OF Michael Morse for assignment and purchased the contract of right-handed reliever AJ Schugel from AAA Indianapolis. The need for Schugel has arisen due to Francisco Liriano being day-to-day with a minor hamstring injury, Ryan Vogelsong having to start tonight, and Kyle Lobstein being unavailable after pitching three innings yesterday.
Michael Morse was hitless in 8 at bats this season, however Morse was an intricate part of the Pirate bench last year. After coming over to the Pirates in a trade with the Dodgers at the trade deadline last year Morse slashed .275/.390/.391/.781 as a Pirate last year, to go with a .