The Pittsburgh Pirates will be without All-Star center fielder Bryan Reynolds and infielder/outfielder Cole Tucker to start their six-game homestand, as both players were placed on the covid-19 injured list while awaiting test results.
The Pirates also placed left-handed reliever Anthony Banda on the 10-day injured list (retroactive to April 23) with a non-covid viral illness, part of their roster moves before Tuesday’s game against the Milwaukee Brewers.
“Any time guys don’t feel well, it’s concerning,” Pirates manager Derek Shelton said. “It becomes even more concerning with what we’ve dealt with as a world the last two years.”
With Reynolds and Tucker unavailable, the Pirates recalled infielder/outfielder Tucupita Marcano and outfielder Jack Suwinski from Double-A Altoona for Tuesday’s game against the Milwaukee Brewers at PNC Park. Lefty reliever Sam Howard was recalled from Triple-A Indianapolis to replace Banda in the bullpen.
Howard opened the season on the IL with a mid-back muscle strain before being reinstated on April 20 and optioned to Indianapolis. He went a combined 0-1 with a 2.45 ERA in 3 2/3 innings in three appearances (two starts) with Low-A Bradenton and Indianapolis.
Marcano and Suwinski, along with pitcher Michell Miliano, were acquired from the San Diego Padres last July in the Adam Frazier trade.
In 13 games with Altoona this season, the 23-year-old Suwinski has hit .353 (18 for 51) with eight doubles, three home runs, 13 RBIs, a .421 OBP and a 1.107 OPS. He is riding a nine-game hitting streak, going 15 for 34 (.441) with seven doubles, two homers and 10 RBIs. Suwinski has never played in the majors.
Marcano, 22, made his Major League debut with San Diego in 2021 and hit .182 (8 for 44) with three RBIs in 25 games. He made eight appearances at second base, four in left field, four in right field and one at third base with the Padres last season. Marcano is hitting .250 (9 for 36) with a homer and two RBIs in 11 games with Altoona this season while making nine starts in left field and two at second base.
