The Pirates have designated left-hander Mike Zagurski for assignment, the team announced via press release. In a corresponding move, the team selected the contract of righty Brandon Cumpton and announced that he will make his MLB debut this afternoon against the Dodgers.
Zagurski, 30, made six appearances and threw six innings for Pittsburgh this year, struggling to a 15.00 ERA and surrendering a troubling eight free passes in the process. He was signed to a minor-league deal by the Pirates in the offseason after posting a 5.54 ERA in 37 1/3 innings for the Diamondbacks in 2012.
Cumpton is a 24-year-old who had been working in Triple-A Indianapolis. He made ten starts, posting a 3.31 ERA in 65 1/3 innings and putting up 6.8 K/9 against 3.0 BB/9. Cumpton appeared at number 25 on Baseball America's pre-season ranking of Pirates prospects.
