The Pittsburgh Pirates recalled shortstop Gift Ngoepe on Wednesday afternoon and optioned right-handed pitcher Dovydas Neverauskas to Indianapolis to make room on the 25-man roster. Ngoepe is being called up due to the bench being one position player short, plus David Freese missed last night's game due to a hamstring issue, leaving the Pirates short-handed on offense.
Ngoepe, who is from South Africa, will become the first player from his country and the entire continent of Africa in the majors. He was signed by the Pirates as an amateur free agent in 2008 and was added to the 40-man roster after the 2015 season.