Dickerson, Kang return from injured list

MILWAUKEE -- The Pirates made a series of moves on Saturday that significantly changed the look of their roster. Their left fielder is back. Their Opening Day third baseman is back as a bench player. Their popular rookie shortstop is gone, as is a former top prospect who struggled all season.

Pittsburgh reinstated Corey Dickerson (right posterior shoulder strain) and Jung Ho Kang (left side strain) from the injured list and recalled reliever Michael Feliz from Triple-A Indianapolis. The club optioned Cole Tucker to Triple-A, placed right-hander Rookie Davis on the 10-day IL (right middle finger blister) and designated righty Nick Kingham for assignment.

The moves leave the Pirates with a crowded outfield, a little more clarity in the infield and a pitching staff still trying to handle for the absence of a few key players.

The Pirates hoped that Kingham would help make up for the loss of injured starters Jameson Taillon and Trevor Williams, but the 27-year-old right-hander -- once a Top 100 prospect per MLB Pipeline -- struggled as a starter and long reliever. Overall this season, Kingham owns a 9.61 ERA and 2.02 WHIP in 14 appearances. Over his last seven outings, he allowed 45 hits and 13 walks while posting an 11.84 ERA and 2.38 WHIP in 24 1/3 innings.

Kingham is out of Minor League options, so the Pirates could not option him to Triple-A without designating him for assignment. The club has seven days to trade or release Kingham or, if he clears waivers, send him outright to Triple-A.

Davis stepped out of the bullpen to start Friday’s 10-4 loss to the Brewers at Miller Park. The right-hander allowed three runs on four hits and five walks while needing 76 pitches to complete three innings. The Pirates added a fresh arm to their weary bullpen by calling up Feliz, who has an 8.25 ERA in 12 big league appearances and a 1.20 ERA in 15 innings for Indianapolis this season.

With Kingham and Davis no longer options, it seems possible that top prospect Mitch Keller -- who struck out 13 on Friday night -- could make his next start in the Majors. The Pirates have not announced their rotation plans beyond Tuesday, however.

Removing Kingham from the 40-man roster cleared a spot for Dickerson, who had been on the 60-day injured list. The Gold Glove Award winner immediately returned to the lineup in Saturday's 5-3 loss, starting in left field and going 0-for-3 at the plate.

Setting the outfield will be a daily balancing act for manager Clint Hurdle. The Pirates have five quality outfielders -- Dickerson, Starling Marte, Gregory Polanco, Melky Cabrera and Bryan Reynolds -- and only three spots to play them. Dickerson, Marte and Reynolds, the hot-hitting rookie, started on Saturday.

It’s a little easier to see how the Pirates will reintroduce Kang, who struggled to a .133 average and .504 OPS in his first 98 plate appearances in the Majors this season. Kang will back up Colin Moran at third and Kevin Newman at shortstop with an opportunity to hit his way into a bigger role, if his bat returns to 2015-16 form.

“We’ll find opportunities to keep guys that are swinging the bat well in the lineup,” Hurdle said.

Sending out Tucker was a difficult decision for the Pirates. The switch-hitting rookie provided positive energy and dynamic defense despite his limited Triple-A experience, and he had seven hits (four of them doubles) in his last 14 at-bats after seeing his average plummet to .153.

“My dream coming true is the coolest part. I feel really good about getting here, being here, what I’ve done,” Tucker said before leaving the Pirates’ clubhouse. "All the adversity that I’ve faced and what I’ve learned from that, it’s going to make me a better player for when I’m back. It’s going to make me a better player tomorrow. I feel really good about where I’m at, what I’ve learned, the bonds and friendships I’ve made here.”

However, Newman has established himself as the Pirates’ everyday shortstop in recent weeks. With Kang returning as the backup shortstop, there was little playing time left for Tucker. Rather than have him ride the big league bench, Pittsburgh sent him to Triple-A to finish his development and play every day.

“Cole needs to go play. That was the message. Well done. More to work on,” Hurdle said. “To play at this level for this many games, I think it’s going to help him moving forward and it’ll make him a better player the next opportunity he gets.”

Rehab updates

Dickerson and Kang are back, and Trevor Williams and Chris Stratton may not be far behind. Williams threw four innings (64 pitches) in a simulated game on Saturday morning and reported no issues related to the right side strain that has sidelined him since May 17.

The next step for Williams is a rehab assignment on Thursday, then he could return to bolster Pittsburgh’s rotation as soon as June 18.

“It’s my first time on the IL. I’ve been feeling pretty useless,” Williams said. “You cheer for your teammates, but whenever your turn comes up and you’re missing it, it stings a little bit. But it happened for a reason. Big picture, maybe I needed some time off. I’m excited to get back out there and help the team out as much as I can and get the ball every five days.”

Stratton, a versatile right-hander who’s been out since May 25 due to right side discomfort, threw 26 pitches in one simulated inning on Saturday. Whenever he returns, he could serve as a spot starter or long reliever.