Pirates claim right-handed pitcher Sean Poppen off waivers, DFA infielder JT Riddle
The Pittsburgh Pirates claimed right-handed pitcher Sean Poppen off waivers from the Minnesota Twins on Thursday, adding depth to a bullpen that has dealt with injury issues.
Poppen, 26, had a 4.70 ERA in six appearances for the Twins this season, allowing nine hits, four runs (all earned) and four walks with 10 strikeouts in 7 2/3 innings. A 19th-round pick by the Twins out of Harvard in 2016, Poppen has a 6.19 ERA and 1.75 WHIP in 10 career appearances.
To make room on the 40-man roster for Poppen, the Pirates designated infielder JT Riddle for assignment. Riddle slashed .149/.174/.224 with two doubles, one home run and one RBI in 23 games this season, playing every position but pitcher and catcher. Riddle spent the previous three years with the Miami Marlins.
Kevin Gorman is a TribLive reporter covering the Pirates. A Baldwin native and Penn State graduate, he joined the Trib in 1999 and has covered high school sports, Pitt football and basketball and was a sports columnist for 10 years. He can be reached at kgorman@triblive.com.
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