Pirates make final cuts of spring training but don't have a backup catcher on 28-man roster

The Pittsburgh Pirates made their final cuts of spring training, though there are likely more moves to come.

The Pirates reassigned five players, including three catchers, to the minor leagues following a 5-1 loss to the Philadelphia Phillies in their Grapefruit League finale Tuesday afternoon at BayCare Ballpark in Clearwater, Fla.

Outfielder Anthony Alford (right wrist sprain), left-handed reliever Sam Howard (mid-back muscle strain) and right-handers Max Kranick (right forearm strain) and Luis Oviedo (right ankle sprain) were placed on the 10-day injured list.

Catchers Taylor Davis, Michael Perez and Jamie Ritchie were battling to be the backup to Roberto Perez but didn’t make the 28-man roster for the season opener Thursday at St. Louis. Michael Perez batted .125 with one home run and three RBIs this spring, while Davis hit .077 and Ritchie batted .333 but had five strikeouts and no walks.

Right-handed reliever Jerad Eickhoff and outfielder Bligh Madris also were reassigned to the minors. Eickhoff was 1-0 with a 2.45 ERA in 7 1/3 innings over four appearances but but gave up two runs on three hits, including a Kyle Schwarber two-run homer, in two innings Tuesday against the Phillies. Madris was singled out by Pirates general manager Ben Cherington for having a strong camp after slashing .368/.429/.947 with two doubles, three homers and four RBIs in 14 games.

The Pirates have 14 pitchers, including three left-handers, nine infielders, three outfielders and one catcher on the 28-man roster. That leaves room for one more position player, likely a catcher.