PITTSBURGH — Needing a starter to face the Chicago Cubs on Friday at Wrigley Field, the Pittsburgh Pirates purchased the contract of left-hander Brian Burres from Triple-A Indianapolis on Thursday.
Burres, 30, was told he was getting the call up to the Majors on Tuesday after the game against Toledo.
“It was kind of a surprise to me,“ Burres said. “Then I drove up here yesterday.”
Although nothing is yet official, Burres is expected to start tomorrow.
“I think we’re leaning in that direction,” Manager Clint Hurdle said.
The lefty has not yet been told of his role, but he just wants to help out the club in any way that he can.
“Really it was just, ‘Hey. You’re heading up,’” Burres said. “I’ve had plenty of rest though. I’m ready to go whenever they need me.”
In 25 games this season (23 starts) Burres went 5-9 with a 4.66 ERA. Burres is coming off a no-decision on Tuesday where he allowed three runs on nine hits over 5.2 innings. He picked up his fifth win of the season on the 22nd when he tossed eight scoreless frames.
“I’ve been feeling really well about how I’ve thrown the ball for the last couple of weeks,” he said.
Although the players are aware of possibility of a September call up, Burres tried not to let that effect his performance.
“I try to concentrate on what I’m trying to do to just get better,“ Burres said. “If good things happen, good things happen. I just take it in stride.”
Friday will be Burres’ 2011 debut. In 20 games (13 starts) with the Pirates last season, Burres posted a 4.99 ERA.
“Everybody was doing so well up here,“ Burres said. “I was actually kind of happy for everyone up here doing well. I’ve played up and down quite a bit so I understand where it is. I was just trying to stay ready in case something did happen where they need me.”
Photo credit: NBC Sports
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