Several days ago, Pirates outfielder Alex Presley sustained a thumb injury. Over the weekend he told reporters he was unable to handle a bat, so this Monday news doesn't come as much of a surprise:
The Pirates have recalled third baseman Pedro Alvarez from Class AAA Indianapolis to take the roster spot that opened today when outfielder Alex Presley was placed on the 15-day disabled list with a left hand contusion.
It's tough for the Pirates, as Presley came up to replace the injured Jose Tabata and took off. Presley came to the plate 93 times, batting .333 with an .896 OPS. While this injury shouldn't keep him out of action for long, it's a setback for a team that doesn't need any setbacks as it hangs in the race.
As for Alvarez, he's finally back up now after missing more than two months, first due to an injury, then due to an assignment to triple-A. Alvarez did not hit a lick with the Pirates earlier this season, but he hit the crap out of the ball with Indianapolis, so it's possible he's gotten some things straightened out. It's unclear just how much playing time he'll get, but he won't just sit on the bench.
The Pirates are currently in a three-way tie for first place in the NL Central, which is a fact I'm including here because I'm including it everywhere, because I hope if I type it often enough it will begin to sink in.