The Pirates have set their Opening Day roster, and it features a bit of a surprise. It had looked like first baseman Matt Hague and relievers Chris Leroux and Jared Hughes would be fighting for the last two spots on the 25-man roster, with Leroux having the inside track on one of the spots because he’s out of options.
Ultimately, though, the Pirates sent Leroux to the 60-day disabled list with a strained pectoral muscle, which means that Hague and Hughes will make the team. The decision to send Leroux to the 60-day DL also cleared a 40-man roster spot for reliever Juan Cruz, who also made the team.
The Pirates also placed starters A.J. Burnett and Charlie Morton on the 15-day disabled list, which Burnett’s DL stint made retroactive to March 26 and Morton’s to March 29. It looks likely that both will return soon, but for now, the Pirates will head into the season with just four starters, as they won’t need a fifth until the middle of the month.
Here’s the 25-man roster.
C Rod Barajas
1B Garrett Jones
2B Neil Walker
SS Clint Barmes
3B Pedro Alvarez
OF Alex Presley
OF Andrew McCutchen
OF Jose Tabata
C Michael McKenry
1B Matt Hague
1B/3B Casey McGehee
INF Yamaico Navarro
INF Josh Harrison
OF Nate McLouth
SP Erik Bedard
SP Jeff Karstens
SP James McDonald
SP Kevin Correia
RP Joel Hanrahan
RP Jason Grilli
RP Chris Resop
RP Jared Hughes
RP Evan Meek
RP Tony Watson
RP Juan Cruz