The Pirates have despatched catcher Grant Koch outright to Triple-A Indianapolis, per the transaction log at MLB.com. Pittsburgh designated him for task on Tuesday once they recalled Henry Davis to pair with Yasmani Grandal behind the plate.
Koch, 27, performed in his first three MLB video games. A fifth-round pick of Arkansas in 2018, Koch has performed elements of six seasons within the minors. He has by no means been a lot of an offensive menace, working a .203/.284/.322 slash line in almost 1200 plate appearances on the farm. Koch was hitting .167/.211/.259 with 25 strikeouts in 59 journeys to the plate for Indianapolis when the Bucs chosen his contract on Might 28.
That first promotion got here in tandem with a visit to the injured checklist for Joey Bart. The Pirates evidently didn’t need to promote Davis at the moment. Koch acquired a couple of days within the huge leagues and his first eight MLB plate appearances — he went 0-7 with six strikeouts and a stroll — earlier than the Pirates determined to show to Davis. Pittsburgh additionally welcomed again Jason Delay from the 60-day injured checklist this week, although he was instantly optioned to Triple-A.
It’s the primary profession outright for Koch, who’ll stick within the group. He’ll again up Delay in Indianapolis whereas returning to his earlier function as a non-roster depth catcher. Koch would qualify for minor league free company at the beginning of the winter if the Pirates don’t reselect him to their 40-man roster this season.