Pirates select contract of RHP Khristian Curtis from Triple-A, transfer Oneil Cruz to 60-day IL

The Pittsburgh Pirates made a handful of roster moves before Saturday’s doubleheader at the Cleveland Guardians.

Right-hander Khristian Curtis had his contract selected from Triple-A Indianapolis, while outfielder Oneil Cruz was transferred to the 60-day injured list.

In addition, righty Wilber Dotel had his rehab assignment with the Altoona Curve ended, was reinstated from the 15-day injured list, and was appointed the Pirates’ 27th man for the doubleheader.

Curtis, ranked No. 21 on the Pirates’ top prospects list by MLB Pipeline, would be in line to make his MLB debut.

A 12th-round pick (No. 347 overall) by the Pirates in 2023 out of Arizona State, Curtis is 2-8 with a 4.96 ERA this season, splitting time between Double-A Altoona and the Indians.

At Triple-A, Curtis has made six appearances (four starts), going 2-1 with a 5.57 ERA, 30 strikeouts and 15 walks.

On the year, he owns a WHIP of 1.39 over 74 1/3 innings.

Cruz was initially placed on the 10-day injured list June 10 (retroactive to June 8) with fourth and fifth metacarpal non-displaced fractures in his left hand.

He last played June 7 and, in 64 games before his injury, was slashing .264/.350/.472 with 14 home runs and 44 RBIs.

The earliest he could be activated from the injured list is Aug. 8.

Dotel, the Pirates’ No. 12 prospect, has been nursing a right lat muscle strain since mid-June.

In a two-game rehab assignment with the Curve, he allowed no runs over three innings, walking one with five strikeouts.

Dotel made his MLB debut with the Pirates on April 19, and over nine big-league appearances, was 1-2 with a 5.89 ERA out of the bullpen.

Game 1 of Saturday’s doubleheader is a makeup for Friday’s contest in Cleveland that was postponed because of air quality concerns stemming from Canadian wildfires.

First pitch is set for 1:10 p.m. in what will be the Pirates’ return to action following the All-Star break.

Game 2 begins at 7:10 p.m.