With Class AAA Indianapolis' season now over, the Pirates have made several roster moves prior to their series against the Reds. Pitchers Rick VandenHurk and Bryan Morris and infielder Chase d'Arnaud will join the team, while reliever Evan Meek has been designated for assignment.
Morris is a potentially helpful reliever, and d'Arnaud is a better runner than anyone else currently on the Pirates, so their promotions are no real surprise. The news here is VandenHurk and Meek. VandenHurk looked like minor-league roster filler when the Pirates acquired him, but the Bucs changed his arm slot, and he ended up having a surprisingly successful season at Class AAA. Now, there seems to be some chance he might start for the Pirates next year. Meek, meanwhile, doesn't have the velocity he once had, and the Pirates have given up on him despite an All-Star appearance in 2010.
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