Yoslan

Herrera

Herrera compiled a 4.50 ERA and 2.33 WHIP over six innings since being recalled on April 13. In his final outing Wednesday, the right-hander allowed two runs without recording an out. A corresponding roster move, likely for a position player, will be made on Friday.

He’s now off the 40-man roster, clearing a spot for C.J. Cron. Herrera posted a 4.50 ERA and 2.33 WHIP over six relief innings earlier this season for the Halos.

Herrera hasn’t pitched in the majors since 2008 and was in independent ball last year after missing 2011 and 2012 due to injury. He’ll operate in middle relief.

Herrera also struggled last week in his debut, so he’s sporting a 19.50 ERA after two starts. He’ll probably head back to Triple-A now.

We thought Herrera would be the choice to join the rotation when Ian Snell joined Phil Dumatrait on the disabled list, but the Pirates went the boring route and chose Ty Taubenheim. At least Herrera did get some sort of promotion out of it.

The Cuban defector will make his major league debut Saturday against the Cardinals. Herrera allowed two runs over seven innings in his Triple-A debut on June 28 and has a 2.81 ERA in the minors this season. He’s an upgrade for the Pirates’ rotation, but that doesn’t make him a good fantasy option, even for NL-only leaguers.

Herrera had been pounded in each of his first two big-league starts, so tonight’s outing was a massive upgrade. He allowed only six hits and a walk while striking out four. The strong outing slices his ERA from 19.50 to 9.75, but he remains a poor fantasy option for the time being.

If Ian Snell joins Phil Dumatrait on the disabled list, the Pirates might opt to take a look at Herrera. He has a 1.03 ERA in four starts this month, making 4-7 with a 3.02 ERA, 80 H and 47/27 K/BB in 80 2/3 innings for the season. He’d be a weak bet in NL-only leaguers if he gets the call, but he’d have a better chance of holding his own than most of the starters the Pirates have in Triple-A.

Herrera posted a 9.82 ERA in five starts with the Pirates, including a disastrous outing Monday against the Diamondbacks. No corresponding roster move has been made yet, but the Pirates may recall Tom Gorzelanny from Triple-A, where he has a 2.01 ERA in five starts since his demotion.

Ryan Doumit and Doug Mientkiewicz drove in two runs apiece for the Pirates. Herrera was a disappointment in the minors last season after earning a major league contract from the Pirates, and he doesn’t appear to be a candidate to win a job this spring. He’ll probably be in the rotation at Triple-A Indianapolis.