Pirates notebook: Phil Evans goes on IL, replaced by Will Craig

The Pittsburgh Pirates lost another first baseman Thursday when Phil Evans was placed on the 10-day injured list with a left hamstring strain.

Evans, who is hitting .216, replaced Colin Moran (left groin strain) at first base and batted third Wednesday before leaving the 4-1 loss to the Cincinnati Reds.

Moran is not scheduled to come off the IL until next Wednesday, so that opens a door for Will Craig, the Pirates’ first-round draft choice in 2016. He was selected to the major league club Thursday and immediately was inserted into the starting lineup at first base against the San Francisco Giants. He batted eighth.

Before Thursday, Craig had four major league at-bats and no hits on his resume, all in two games last season. He could add power to the lineup after hitting three home runs in seven games at Triple-A Indianapolis this season.

His batting average, however, was .231 at the time of his call-up. He has shown minor league power in the past, hitting 20 homers in Double-A Altoona in 2018 and 23 in Indianapolis in 2019.

The Pirates (15-21) are next-to-last in the majors with 24 home runs in 36 games, but they could use offensive help of any sort. They have scored zero, one or two runs in nine of the past 10 games while losing seven.

“Right now, we’re in a situation where we can use guys swinging the bat well,” Shelton said, “and (Craig) does a nice job at first. I would say he’s going to get some consistent looks at first base.”

To make room for Craig, right-handed pitcher Sean Poppen was designated for assignment after appearing in three games this season with a 7.71 ERA and 2.79 WHIP.

Evans is the 12th Pirates player to go on the injured list this season, creating several roster moves and, occasionally, some difficult conversations for Shelton with his players.

“It is (difficult to accept),” Shelton said, “because you’re dealing with human beings, and you’re dealing with human beings that are going on and off rosters and some of them were completely taken off the 40-man.

“We’ve talked about it ad nauseum, giving people opportunities, and right now Will Craig is a person who’s getting an opportunity. Phil Evans was getting opportunities. (Wilmer) Difo was getting opportunities. We’ll build off those opportunities and go with what we got.”

Shelton said Evans’ hamstring was “a little tender” Thursday.

Injury update

Chad Kuhl, who has been eligible to come off the injured list since April 29, threw a two-inning simulated game Thursday, and Shelton was encouraged.

“It looked good,” he said. “Fastball looked good. Changeup looked really good. He threw a couple of good changeups, a couple really good sliders.

“How he looks (Thursday) is really important. How he feels (Friday) is going to be the most important thing for us, in terms of building back up to starting. (Thursday) was a really good first step.”

Double-A pitcher Cody Bolton had right knee surgery for a medial meniscal repair and was placed on the 60-day injured list in Altoona. He is projected to return to full baseball activities in four to six months.

Back in the bigs

Left-hander Chasen Shreve, who’s been in the major leagues since 2014, said waiting in Indianapolis for his big league opportunity was difficult.

”It’s tough when I’ve spent so much time in the big leagues,” he said. “Waiting at the practice facility was probably the worst. Not seeing hitters was the hardest part (before games started). Being there every day reminds you that you’re not here every day.”

After Sam Howard appeared in 18 of the first 36 games, Shreve gives Shelton two left-handers in the bullpen. He faced three batters Wednesday, struck out one and allowed a single, and added a scoreless inning Thursday.

“He brings a left-hander who has historically gotten right-handers out (.227 batting average against him),” Shelton said. “It provides us flexibility. It’s nice to have the second lefty out there.”

“I’m here to give Sam some time off,” Shreve said. “He’s been getting crushed, and he’s been doing a great job.”

Howard has struck out 18 batters in 12 1/3 innings.

Another way to score

The Pirates have recorded 15 stolen bases in 36 games, which is tied for 17th in the majors. But it’s one fewer than their total in 60 games last season.

“We talked, in my managerial style in the second year, I could be a little more aggressive,” Shelton said.

Plus, it makes sense for the Pirates to move runners along the bases.

“We have to have guys with movement to create run-scoring opportunities because we don’t have the guys who are going to bang,” Shelton said. “We’re trying to have more action.”