WASHINGTON (AP) -The Pittsburgh Pirates picked up the contract of left-hander Sean Burnett from Triple-A Indianapolis on Sunday, adding him to the bullpen as a short reliever.
To make room for Burnett on the roster, the Pirates designated right-handed reliever Evan Meek for assignment. Pittsburgh has 10 days to trade, waive or release Meek, who made the club in spring training after being selected from Tampa Bay in the Rule 5 draft in December.
The 25-year-old Burnett has not appeared in a major league game since 2004, when he went 5-5 with a 5.02 ERA in 13 starts for the Pirates. He missed the entire 2005 season after undergoing ligament replacement surgery in his left elbow on Sept. 22, 2004.
Last year at Indianapolis, Burnett was 4-5 with a 4.48 ERA in 15 starts before left elbow discomfort ended his season following a July 3 start. This season, he was 1-1 with three saves and a 1.04 ERA in 17 relief appearances with the Indians.
Meek was 0-1 with a 6.92 ERA in nine relief outings, allowing 11 hits and walking 12 in 13 innings. Any team that claims the 24-year-old must keep him on its major league roster for the remainder of the season or offer him back to the Rays. The Pirates could retain him if they work out a trade with Tampa Bay, which would allow them to demote Meek.
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