Osuna 'first in line to get more at-bats'

PITTSBURGH – Whether he’s pinch-hitting, filling in at one of the four defensive positions he plays or even making a position-player-pitching cameo, as he did on July 24, Jose Osuna often says the key to his job is staying ready.

He should be ready for more playing time over the next two months. With Corey Dickerson traded and Jung Ho Kang designated for assignment, Osuna is chief among the Pirates’ depth options set to step into a larger role down the stretch.

“If you’re going to seed them, Osuna’s first in line to get more at-bats,” Pirates manager Clint Hurdle said.

Osuna started at third base against Mets lefty Steven Matz on Friday night and got the nod in right field against Marcus Stroman on Saturday night at PNC Park. Osuna drove in a run off Stroman on a bases-loaded walk in the first inning of the Pirates’ 7-5 loss to the Mets.

Osuna on Friday went 2-for-3 with an RBI single, made an excellent tag to catch a runner stealing third, cleanly fielded a tough bounce on a chopper and leaped to snag a hard-hit line drive.

“These are things that [infield coach Joey Cora] and him work on every day,” Pirates bench coach Tom Prince said. “Great to see him have success over there.”

Third base is Osuna’s newest position, and he has picked it up by putting in a tremendous amount of pregame work there over the last three years. He’s capable of handling the corner-outfield spots (albeit with limited range) and both corner-infield spots.

“His athleticism has come around. We know what he can do at first,” Hurdle said, referring to Osuna’s natural (and best) position. “To have a guy that can play both corners -- actually, four corners -- is very valuable to have, and the way he’s swinging the bat right now has been fun.”

Osuna entered Saturday’s game batting .304 with a .956 OPS and seven homers in 99 plate appearances this season, his best performance in the Majors since his 2017 debut. His average exit velocity has increased to 90.1 mph, and his average launch angle has ticked up from 9.7 degrees last year to 12.6 degrees this season.

“Everything’s making sense right now. I’m very grateful for the opportunity the organization has given me,” Osuna said through interpreter Mike Gonzalez. “But I think what’s really working out for me is not only the experience, but my preparation, my mentality, my maturity and my routine.”

Kela drops appeal

Setup man Keone Kela began serving his 10-game suspension on Saturday night. Kela, Osuna (five games) and Kyle Crick (three) were all suspended due to their roles in Tuesday’s benches-clearing brawl in Cincinnati but elected to appeal their discipline, allowing them to continue playing until their appeals were heard or dropped.

Clubs cannot replace players who are suspended, so Pittsburgh will play a man short while Kela is out. Hurdle also served the last half of his two-game suspension on Saturday, with Prince again filling in as acting manager.

Reliever recalled with RichRod out

Right-hander Richard Rodríguez was placed on the paternity list before Saturday night’s game against the Mets at PNC Park, so he will be away from the Pirates for the next three days.

With Rodriguez out, the Pirates recalled right-handed reliever Parker Markel from Triple-A Indianapolis after claiming the former Mariners pitcher on waivers last week. Markel, 28, worked three hitless innings and struck out five in two appearances for Indianapolis. In 29 appearances between Double-A and Triple-A this season, Markel owns a 1.88 ERA and 0.99 WHIP with 67 strikeouts in 38 1/3 innings.

“That speaks for itself,” Hurdle said.

So does Markel’s perseverance. Drafted by the Rays in the 39th round of the 2010 Draft, he didn’t make his Major League debut until the Mariners called him up three months ago.

His career has taken him to South Korea and the independent American Association. He’s held offseason jobs at a hot-air balloon company and a Lululemon store.

“Black Friday there, I can’t even compare,” Markel said in the Pirates’ clubhouse on Saturday. “That was the hardest day of my life, probably.”

So yes, Markel has been through enough to appreciate an opportunity like this.

“I’ve been through a lot of different life experiences, especially within the last three or four years,” Markel said. “I feel like everything happens for a reason, and it prepared me to this point. This is not out of the norm for me. Coming in, everyone’s really welcoming. Everyone’s been really nice so far.”

Brault ready to go

Left-hander Steven Brault, out since July 5 due to a strained shoulder, will rejoin the Pirates’ rotation on Tuesday against the Brewers. Brault made a four-inning, 76-pitch rehab start for Triple-A Indianapolis on Thursday night.

Brault was one of Pittsburgh’s most effective pitchers when he went on the injured list. The lefty posted a 2.44 ERA while holding opponents to a .692 OPS in his last nine outings, including seven starts, dating back to May 18.

Right-hander Dario Agrazal will start the series opener against former Pirate Jordan Lyles, and Trevor Williams will pitch in Wednesday’s series finale.

Waiver claim

The Pirates claimed right-hander Yacksel Rios off waivers from the Phillies on Saturday and optioned him to Triple-A Indianapolis. Rios, 26, is 4-2 with a 6.38 ERA, 1.65 WHIP and 55 strikeouts over 55 innings in 53 Major League appearances over the past three years.

Rios, whose primary pitch is a fastball that clocks in around 96 mph, made four relief appearances for the Phillies this season before being designated for assignment on Monday. He put together a 7.41 ERA and recorded seven saves in 34 innings for Triple-A Lehigh Valley.