Kevin Kramer and Kevin Newman were among the four players reassigned to minor league camp by the Pirates on Thursday, as the club continues to get closer to solidifying its 25-man roster.
Pitchers Yeudy Garcia and Alex McRae were also reassigned, giving the Pirates 49 players remaining in big league camp with two weeks until opening day. Although Kramer was among the third round of cuts, he had the best spring of any prospect.
The 24-year-old second baseman batted .313 with one home run and four RBIs in 16 at-bats, while using a retooled swing that led to an offensive breakout last season. Kramer was batting .297 with six home runs — two more than he hit at High-A in 2016 — and was selected to the Eastern League All-Star game before breaking his hand last June.
Kramer, a second-round draft pick in 2015, played only 16 games the rest of the season. It remains to be seen where he'll begin 2018, though. Triple-A Indianapolis' infield will likely include Newman at shortstop or second base, Max Moroff at shortstop or second base and Jose Osuna at third.
Kramer has only 53 games of experience at Double-A, so it's possible the Pirates send him back for at least a portion of this season until either Moroff or Osuna get recalled.
Newman, 24, batted .263/.318/.687 this spring with two doubles and two RBIs in 19 at-bats this spring. The former first-round pick also took reps at second base.
Garcia, a 25-year-old right-handed relief pitcher, struggled at Double-A Altoona last season until he was moved to the bullpen, and he had a 1.50 WHIP in 3 1/3 innings this spring. McRae, who made 25 starts at Double-A last season, had a 1.09 WHIP in 7 1/3 innings.
He was given the start on Monday against the Orioles because Tyler Glasnow was scratched with flu-like symptoms and impressed Ray Searage with three scoreless innings. Clint Hurdle told reporters afterward that the Pirates view McRae as a starter who could contribute in the major leagues at some point in 2018.
