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Roster moves adding to outfield jumble

PITTSBURGH — Here’s something interesting about the Pirates’ current four-man outfield rotation:

People are outraged whenever rookie Austin Meadows isn’t in the lineup.

That feeling grows more intense when Gregory Polanco is in the lineup.

But for the last couple of weeks, the oft-maligned Polanco has been a more productive hitter than Meadows.

Since a series opened in St. Louis in May 31, Meadows has batted .245 with an OPS of .683. He’s hit one home run and driven in four runs in his 49 at-bats over those 14 games.

In the same span, Polanco played 14 games, batting .256 with an .831 OPS, one home run and 11 RBIs in 39 at bats.

(The stats cited were current entering Monday’s game against Milwaukee at PNC Park).

Now there’s another candidate for some outfield appearances. Jose Osuna was called up from Class AAA Indianapolis on Monday, part of two roster moves involving four players.

Righthander Richard Rodriguez was activated from the 10-day disabled list.

Righty reliever Dovydas Neverauskus was sent back to Indianapolis, as was No. 3 catcher Jacob Stallings.

Neverauskus made four appearances in this stay with the Pirates. Two were scoreless. In the other two games, he allowed five earned runs in and inning and two-thirds.

“It comes down to pitch execution,” manager Clint Hurdle said. “When he hasn’t executed pitches, he’s paid a price up here with damage done off the bat.

“We’ve seen him miss with some locations where the cutter hasn’t been as sharp and the curveball wasn’t thrown close enough to get swings and the fastball execution put him behind in hitters’ counts. Those are the challenges.”

Like a lot of baseball people, Hurdle believes the gap between Class AAA and the major leagues has never been wider.

“(Neverauskus) is among a large group of people who have really good stuff, and if they don’t execute up here, they get hit hard,” Hurdle said. “There are a lot of pitchers who are on that shuttle right now who go through that challenging time until they establish and execute the pitches consistently.

“Velocity means nothing up here without some late movement.”

Osuna could get a couple of starts in the outfield this week as the Pirates are expected to face a couple of lefthanded starters. Otherwise, he’s an option off the bench in the late innings, Hurdle said.

“We’ll look for some at bats,” Hurdle said. “He’s gone down there again, done his work, swung the bat well. He’s game-ready to play and hit.”

Right approach

Nick Kingham has been bouncing between the major leagues and Class AAA and hasn’t gotten distracted by the changes in his surroundings.

“He’s focused on what he’s in control of and what he’s able to do,” Hurdle said. “He’s pitching the best ball he can pitch where he’s at and wait for the next opportunity.

“He’s not waiting by the door or by the phone. He continues to pitch the way he does and that gives us confidence in calling him up when the opportunity presents itself.”

Insurance policy

Stallings spent eight days with the Pirates without getting into a game.

He was called up because of concerns after a foul ball hit Francisco Cervelli in the jaw.

Mehno can be reached at johnmehnocolumn@gmail.com

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