The Pittsburgh Pirates announced a swap of right-handed bullpen personnel Tuesday afternoon, optioning Hunter Stratton to Triple-A Indianapolis and recalling Michael Darrell-Hicks from the Indians.
Stratton on Monday did not have a strong outing against the Milwaukee Brewers.
Relieving Braxton Ashcraft in the fourth inning, he allowed three runs on four hits, hitting a batter with a walk and strikeout in his first big-league appearance since May 1.
Stratton, who’s hoping to return to his 2024 form (2-1, 3.58 ERA in 32 games) before suffering a season-ending rupture of his left patella tendon in early August, now owns a 23.63 ERA this year.
Over three games with the Pirates this season, he’s allowed seven runs in 2 2/3 innings.
He was originally called up from Triple-A on June 21.
With the Indians, Stratton is 0-1 with a 3.65 ERA through 21 appearances.
As for Darrell-Hicks, he joins the Pirates for the first time since being claimed off waivers from the Los Angeles Angels on June 13.
The 27-year-old was immediately assigned to Triple-A and delivered two scoreless frames with a strikeout and two walks.
He made his MLB on April 11 of this year with the Angels and had a 9.39 ERA over six games with the club upon being designated for assignment June 8.
