Pirates notebook: Bryse Wilson rejoins team, starts Sunday against Rockies

In need of a starter for the final game before the All-Star break, the Pittsburgh Pirates on Sunday recalled right-hander Bryse Wilson from Triple-A Indianapolis. Wilson was the starting pitcher in the final game of the three-game series against the Colorado Rockies and worked the first 3 1/3 innings, allowing two runs and four hits in the Pirates’ 8-3 victory.

Wilson, who was acquired last year from the Atlanta Braves in the trade of relief pitcher Richard Rodriguez, has split time this season between the Pirates and Indianapolis.

He has a 1-5 record, 6.52 ERA and 1.65 WHIP with the Pirates, but he has been more effective in his three July starts. In 16 innings against the Milwaukee Brewers, Cincinnati Reds and Rockies, he has allowed 19 hits (two home runs) and one walk, compiling a 2.81 ERA and 1.25 WHIP.

He also has performed well in Indianapolis, recording a 2.97 ERA since May 28 (seventh-lowest in the International League).

To make room for Wilson, the Pirates placed right-handed relief pitcher Chase De Jong on the 15-day injured list with left knee tendonitis. De Jong, who had surgery on that knee last year, is 4-0 with a 2.06 ERA and 1.057 WHIP.

“It’s not anything that is of any seriousness at all,” manager Derek Shelton said on 93.7 FM. “We expect to have him back in our bullpen really soon.”

Reynolds: making progress

Bryan Reynolds, who has been on the injured list with a right oblique strain since Monday, is feeling better, general manager Ben Cherington indicated on 93.7 FM.

“Obviously, with obliques, we want to be careful,” Cherington said. “We don’t want that to turn into something bigger than it is.”

He said the team will check on Reynolds’ recovery after the All-Star break. The Pirates’ next game is Friday at PNC Park against the Miami Marlins.

“He is just way too important to take any chance with,” Cherington said. “He’s going to play a lot (the rest of) this year, but he’s not ready to play (Sunday).”

Reynolds is eligible to come off the injured list Thursday.

Contreras on the way back

Cherington said Roansy Contreras pitched a simulated game in Denver’s Coors Field on Sunday and will start pitching in games for Indianapolis after the break. Contreras, one of the Pirates’ most prized pitching prospects, was optioned to Triple-A on July 7 and shut down.

“We have a schedule mapped out for him,” Cherington said. “He never stopped throwing. We’d like to see him pitching at the end of the season in Pittsburgh in the rotation and we felt like this little break was important to accomplish that.”