Yoshi Tsutsugo, who has been the Pittsburgh Pirates’ starting first baseman for 27 of the 43 games this season, was placed on the 10-day injured list Friday with a lumbar muscle strain. The move is officially retroactive to Wednesday.
Infielder/outfielder Tucupita Marcano, who was acquired last year from the San Diego Padres in the Adam Frazier trade, was recalled from Double-A Altoona.
Tsutsugo was signed to a one-year, $4 million contract after he hit eight home runs in the final two months (43 games) of the 2021 season. He has hit only two homers this season while batting .177, but he is tied for third on the team with 15 RBIs. He has struck out 31 times in 135 plate appearances.
He drove in the winning run with an infield single Monday in a 2-1 victory against the Colorado Rockies.
Marcano, 22, has been productive in Altoona, hitting .312 (29 for 93) with a .906 OPS that includes seven doubles, two triples, two home runs and 13 RBIs. His batting average and .411 OBP are eighth in the Eastern League. He was hitting .364 this month.
Marcano was with the the Pirates earlier this season from April 26-30. He contributed a pinch-hit double and threw out a runner at home plate from left field in a game against the Milwaukee Brewers on April 26.
