Davis Wendzel Joins Pirates From Triple-A Indianapolis
Davis Wendzel is up with the Pirates. Pittsburgh selected the infielder from Triple-A Indianapolis on June 9, adding a new infield option while Chris Devenski was moved to the 60-day injured list to open a 40-man roster spot.
Wendzel Brings Triple-A Production
The move comes after Wendzel hit.246/.360/.491 with nine home runs and a 123 wRC+ in 211 plate appearances at Indianapolis this year. He signed a minor league contract with Pittsburgh in December and came to spring training as a non-roster invite, then turned that chance into a roster move.
Wendzel has only limited major league exposure. He appeared in 27 games for the Rangers in 2024 and had six hits in 49 plate appearances, so this promotion gives Pittsburgh a look at a player who has spent most of the year punishing Triple-A pitching rather than filling a bench role in the majors.
Pittsburgh Moves Jhostynxon Garcia
To make room for Wendzel, the Pirates optioned Jhostynxon Garcia. Garcia had been back in the majors since May 19 and played 13 games after that recall, but he hit.200/.243/.229 in 37 plate appearances during that stretch.
Garcia’s return had already followed a difficult spring. He missed about a month with a back injury in mid-April before his latest run in Pittsburgh, and his move back to Indianapolis clears another opening for the Pirates’ infield mix.
Chris Devenski’s move to the 60-day injured list completed the roster shift. He went on the 15-day injured list on May 7 after serving a two-game suspension for intentionally throwing at the Reds’ Sal Stewart, and the transfer was backdated to his original placement.
Pirates Infield Mix
Wendzel’s arrival gives Pittsburgh another option at third base or shortstop at a time when the club has been shuffling the middle infield. Nick Gonzales has handled most of the third-base work with a 115 wRC+ in 238 plate appearances, while Jared Triolo has been covering shortstop for the injured Konnor Griffin despite a 57 wRC+ this year and -6 Defensive Runs Saved in 588 2/3 career innings at the position.
That leaves the Pirates with a clearer immediate utility choice in Wendzel, whose bat played at Indianapolis and whose glove fits multiple spots. If he sticks, the roster decision points to a simple answer from Pittsburgh: use the best available infield depth now, and sort out the rest around the injuries later.
