After using eight players at the position last season, the Pittsburgh Pirates’ catching carousel has started early.
The Pirates placed Austin Hedges on the seven-day concussion injured list Tuesday and selected the contract of Tyler Heineman, who will join Jason Delay as the backstops while Hedges is out.
To make room on the 40-man roster for Heineman, the Pirates designated right-handed reliever Edwin Uceta for assignment. They claimed Uceta off waivers Sunday from the Detroit Tigers and assigned him to Triple-A Indianapolis. Also, outfielder Ryan Vilade cleared waivers and was assigned to Indianapolis.
Hedges, who signed a one-year, $5 million contract to serve as the starting catcher, was 0 for 7 with one walk and two strikeouts in nine plate appearances over the first three games.
Delay, who beat out Heineman and Kevin Plawecki for the backup job in spring training, started against the Boston Red Sox on Monday and hit a solo home run over the Green Monster in the fourth inning in the 7-6 win at Fenway Park.
Heineman, 31, batted .211/.277/.254 with six doubles and eight RBIs in 52 games for the Pirates last season.
