The Pirates are making a change in the infield ahead of their series with the Reds. Infielder Rodolfo Castro has been recalled from Class AAA Indianapolis, and utilityman Cole Tucker has been optioned to Indianapolis.
Optioning Tucker is hardly a surprise based on merit. In 18 games between shortstop, second base and right field, Tucker slashed just .175/.175/.222 with no homers or walks, just two RBIs and a 39.7% strikeout rate.
Tucker had recently abandoned switch-hitting, opting to instead just swing left-handed, as the latest attempt to jumpstart his offensive production. Derek Shelton said he wanted Tucker to get consistent at-bats and work on that lefty swing more consistently.