The Pittsburgh Pirates made a flurry of roster moves prior to Thursday’s game against the Detroit Tigers, addressing both inconsistency and injuries in their infield, outfield and pitching staff.

Center fielder Dustin Fowler joined Anthony Alford in being designated for assignment after a dismal start, causing Pirates manager Derek Shelton to move Bryan Reynolds from left field to center.

With third baseman Ke’Bryan Hayes out longer than expected after aggravating his wrist injury, the Pirates purchased the contract of veteran corner infielder Todd Frazier from their alternate training site.

Right-hander Chad Kuhl was placed on the 10-day injured list with right shoulder discomfort, which will cause him to miss his scheduled start Sunday at Minnesota. Right-handed reliever Geoff Hartlieb was recalled from their alternate training site to bolster the bullpen.

Alford and Fowler were disappointments, batting a combined .138 (9 for 65) through 19 games. Fowler hit .171 (7 for 41) with a double and two RBIs in 12 starts but had 20 strikeouts and three walks. Alford batted .083 (2 for 24) with 16 strikeouts and four walks. Reynolds is starting in center against the Tigers and could play there for the foreseeable future.

“That’s not to say he’s going to stay in center for the rest of the year or every day,” Shelton said, “but I would say in the short term, you’re going to see him in center.”

Kuhl’s injury “was something that cropped up after the last start,” Shelton said, when he had six strikeouts and allowed three runs on five hits in five innings in a 6-5 win in 10 innings over the Milwaukee Brewers this past Sunday at PNC Park. “With the discomfort, going to Minnesota, it being cold and the off-days coming up, we just felt that it was the best opportunity to give him a little bit of a break.”

Shelton said he hasn’t decided who will start for Kuhl on Sunday, but called relievers Sean Poppen, Luis Oviedo and Duane Underwood Jr. possible options “who do provide significant length.” With an off day scheduled for Monday, the Pirates could rely more heavily upon their bullpen, and Shelton said he has considered using an opener.

“I have thought about that,” Shelton said. “I think you know me well enough to know that I think creatively as much as possible. We’ve thought through a ton of scenarios. The fact that we play three games before that will kind of dictate where we’re at.”

The 35-year-old Frazier, a two-time All-Star who has 218 career home runs, opted out of his contract after he didn’t make the major league club out of spring training but signed a minor league deal and was working out at the alternate training site. Frazier was in the starting lineup at designated hitter against the Tigers, a role he could continue to play against the Minnesota Twins this weekend.

“So when you do add a veteran guy who has played in the American League, that does help,” Shelton said. “There’s a lot of factors that go into play. But the fact that we’re adding Fraz when we’re in the American League, that’s really helpful.”

One move Shelton said he has not considered “at all” is moving Adam Frazier to left field. Frazier started 13 games there last season when Reynolds moved to center, but the Pirates prefer to keep the two-time Gold Glove finalist at second base.

“He can go out there and he’s good out there, it’s very helpful. If we ever had to do it mid-game, we can do that,” Shelton said. “But, as of now, I’ve not considered playing him out there at all. He’s done a hell of a job at second base.”

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