MIAMI — The Pirates promoted righty relievers Kyle Crick and Richard Rodriguez from Class AAA Indianapolis before Friday’s series opener against the Miami Marlins at Marlins Park in an effort to improve the second- worst bullpen in baseball.
Lefty Josh Smoker and righty Clay Holmes were optioned to Indianapolis.
The Pirates bullpen has a 6.97 ERA, worse than everyone but the Cincinnati Reds. Smoker had allowed four runs and nine hits in four innings without striking out a batter, in addition to inherited runners not charged to his line. Holmes pitched in one game, his major league debut.