Pirates call up McRae; Feliz returns for 'pen help

PITTSBURGH -- On Saturday, the Pirates added a pair of right-handed arms to their 25-man roster as they reinstated Michael Feliz from the 10-day disabled list and called up Alex McRae from Triple-A Indianapolis. They subsequently optioned righty Dovydas Neverauskas and left-hander Josh Smoker to Triple-A.
The Pirates will look for the additions to bolster a bullpen that has used nine pitchers to hurl 28 innings over the past six games.
Neverauskas was recalled on Tuesday and allowed one earned run on two hits against the Dodgers. He appeared once again in Friday night's game against the Phillies, giving up four earned runs while recording just two outs.
Smoker's promotion came on Wednesday. The southpaw pitched one hitless inning in that night's game against the Dodgers and surrendered three earned runs on a pair of hits to Philadelphia on Friday.
Feliz was placed on the disabled list on June 24 with right shoulder inflammation. He excelled during the first two months of the season, posting a 2.70 ERA on May 20 through 22 appearances.
His performance declined over the next 11 outings before landing on the disabled list. In that time, he allowed 15 runs (14 earned) over 12 2/3 innings to inflate his ERA to 5.51.
McRae was selected by the Pirates in the 10th round of the 2014 Draft. He has posted a 4.61 ERA and 1.58 WHIP over 17 games with Triple-A Indianapolis this season. He compiled 80 strikeouts while issuing 39 walks over 84 innings.
McRae is trending in the right direction over his last 10 games in Triple-A, surrendering 25 earned runs over 53 2/3 innings to lower his ERA more than a full point.
McRae's first appearance with the Pirates will be his Major League debut.