The Pirates have acquired 32-year old righty swinging outfielder Jason Michaels and cash from the Indians for a player to be named later. Michaels played in 21 games for the Indians this season and he was 12 for 58 (.207 avg, .534 OPS) with 3 runs scored, 9 RBIs and 1 stolen base. Michaels has now played in 632 games in his major league career and he is 451 for 1,627 (.277 avg, .764 OPS) with 257 runs scored, 37 homers, 203 RBIs and 19 stolen bases. This was a solid move for the Pirates as Michaels will be a solid player off the bench for them.

21-year old righty swinging outfielder Andrew McCutchen is just biding his time in AAA ball until the Pirates think he’s ready and make room for him by likey trading Jason Bay or Xavier Nady. He is the Pirates’ #1 prospect according to Baseball America’s Prospect Handbook. McCutchen has played in 31 games in AAA-ball so far this season and he is 36 for 124 (.290 avg, .897 OPS) with 23 runs scored, 6 homers, 17 RBIs and 9 stolen bases. He also has good plate discipline as he has only whiffed 17 times so far this season. When he gets to the majors he will likely have a very long and productive stay.

CF Nate McLouth and RF Xavier Nady are carrying the offense of the Pirates. McLouth has been fantastic as the leadoff hitter for the Pirates this year. He has played in 31 games this season and he is 41 for 127 (.323 avg, 1.017 OPS) with 28 runs scored, 7 homers, 25 RBIs and 3 stolen bases. Xavier Nady has also been smashing the baseball for the Pirates. He has played in 31 games for the Pirates this season and he is 41 for 118 (.347 avg, .948 OPS) with 19 runs scored, 4 homers and 30 RBIs. Neither of these guys has proven that they can sustain success like this for a full season but the Pirates will be depending on it.

The Pirates have designated rookie righty reliever Evan Meek for assigment. Meek pitched in 9 games (0 starts) for the Pirates this season and he was 0-1 with a 6.92 ERA and a 1.77 WHIP. In 13 innings for the Pirates this season, Meek allowed 3 homers and walked 12 batters and that’s downright unacceptable. The Pirates have recalled 25-year old lefty Sean Burnett to replace Meek in the bullpen. Burnett has been converted into a reliever in AAA and he has really pitched well. Burnett has pitched in 12 games (0 starts) so far in AAA ball this season and he is 1-1 with a 1.04 ERA and a 0.98 WHIP.

The Pittsburgh Pirates have released righty Matt Morris. Morris was awful so far this season in his first 5 starts. In those games, Morris compiled a 0-4 record with a 9.67 ERA and a 2.15 WHIP. Morris has been terrible since the Pirates acquired him last season. Morris finished his career with the Pirates having started 16 games in which he was 3-8 with a 7.04 ERA and a 1.75 WHIP. Lefty Phil Dumatrait will replace Morris in the starting rotation. Dumatrait has pitched in 10 games out of the bullpen this season and he is 0-1 with a 3.92 ERA and a 1.69 WHIP. Don’t get too excited about Dumatrait as he has walked 13 batters in only 20.2 innings so far this season.