The Pirates have designated right-hander Shane Carle and shortstop Engelb Vielma for assignment, as per a team announcement. The moves will create roster space for the newly-acquired players from yesterday’s Gerrit Cole trade.
This is the second time in less than a month that Carle has been sent to DFA limbo, as the righty was previously designated by the Rockies in late December before being claimed by Pittsburgh. Carle has a 4.10 ERA, 6.3 K/9, and 2.27 K/BB rate over 527 1/3 career innings in the minors, which includes 179 1/3 frames pitching in the very hitter-friendly Pacific Coast League. The 26-year-old made his MLB debut last season, tossing four innings over three appearances for Colorado.
It has already been a whirlwind of transactional activity for Vielma for the last five months, as the infielder has gone from the Twins to the Giants to the Phillies and then to the Pirates on a series of waiver claims. Vielma has only a .256/.316/.302 slash line over 2171 minor league plate appearances (all in Minnesota’s farm system), as he has been more known for his slick glove. Vielma has spent the bulk of his career as a shortstop, though he has also seen significant time at second and third base.