CINCINNATI -- Anthony Alford is going to get a second chance with his second team.
On Saturday, the Pirates selected the contract of the Indianapolis outfielder and promoted him to the majors.
To make room on the major league roster, utilityman Phillip Evans has been optioned to the minors. Infielder Erik González was activated off the injured list and designated for assignment to clear room on the 40-man.
Alford was originally positioned to split the center field job with Dustin Fowler at the start of this season, but was designated for assignment in April after slashing .083/.241/.083 over 29 plate appearances.
He did rebound to become arguably the best hitter at the Pirates’ Class AAA affiliate in Indianapolis, slashing .307/.420/.593 with 14 home runs and nine stolen bases over 226 plate appearances. He did still have difficulty making consistent contact, though, striking out in 34.5% of his plate appearances.
The decision to promote him comes one day after the Pirates placed Ben Gamel on the 10-day injured list with a hamstring strain.
“He’s going to get an opportunity to play,” Derek Shelton said. “With Gamel being on the outfield right now, we have at-bats in left field. He deserves to be back up here.”
Alford is playing left field and batting seventh Saturday.
For González, this brings his three-year stint with the Pirates to an end. He came into spring training this year in competition for the starting shortstop job, but lost it out to Kevin Newman. He did receive a good amount of playing time early while Ke’Bryan Hayes was on the injured list, but never got in a groove.
On the season, he was slashing .232/.258/.300 2ith two home runs and 21 RBIs over 229 plate appearances.
“That was a challenging [decision], especially with the kind of person Erik is,” Shelton said. “I think one of the things is, we’ve acquired some people recently who we’re going to give opportunities to currently and then moving forward. Because of that, Erik wound up being the roster casualty.”
González was rehabbing a right oblique strain with Indianapolis.
For Evans, the utilityman was one of the Pirates’ best hitters early in the season, but fell off dramatically after an injury and a return to a bench role.
“He really never [found that offense again],” Shelton said. “He has battled through some things. He needs to get more consistent at-bats.”
The Pirates and Reds will play Saturday at 7:10 p.m. before concluding their four-game series Sunday.
