Overview
- The Pirates selected veteran reliever Chris Devenski’s contract Wednesday, optioned left-hander Hunter Barco to Triple-A, and designated right-hander Ryan Harbin for assignment to clear the 40-man spot.
- Devenski, a 2017 All-Star and World Series winner with Houston, earned the call after a 1.13 ERA and 14 strikeouts in five Triple-A outings and then allowed one run in his Pirates debut against St. Louis.
- Because Devenski has more than seven years of MLB service, the club cannot option him to the minors and would need to designate him for assignment if they want to remove him from the roster.
- Barco was sent down after allowing five runs Tuesday against the Cardinals and posting a 7.71 ERA across five big-league appearances this season.
- Harbin had been on the 60-day injured list with a right lat strain, and since injured players cannot be outrighted, his DFA points to a likely trade or release rather than a simple demotion.