Pirates notebook: Double-A prospects Oneil Cruz, Roansy Contreras dealing with sore arms

Jul. 4—Two of the Pittsburgh Pirates' top prospects at Double-A Altoona, shortstop Oneil Cruz and right-hander Roansy Contreras, are dealing with forearm issues and will be evaluated this week by the team's medical staff, general manager Ben Cherington said Sunday.

Cherington revealed on his weekly radio show on 93.7 FM that Cruz and Contreras "both are a little bit sore right now."

"We are hopeful and feel like in neither case it's a big deal, but they're going to get seen in Pittsburgh this week," Cherington said. "Both felt something down in their forearm area, Oneil on a throw while he was playing shortstop, Roansy in his last outing, which ended up getting rain interrupted."

Ranked the Pirates' No. 2 prospect and No. 38 overall by Baseball America, Cruz is batting .298/.349/.538 with 10 doubles, three triples, nine home runs and 29 RBIs in 43 games with Altoona this season.

Contreras is ranked No. 13 in the Pirates' system after being acquired from the New York Yankees in the Jameson Taillon trade, and recently cracked Baseball America's top 100 prospects at No. 98. He is 3-1 with a 2.35 ERA and 0.91 WHIP in 46 innings over nine starts and was selected to play in the Futures Game next Sunday in Denver.

"With both, we think, hopefully — knock on wood — we caught it early and got ahead of it," Cherington said, "but we're going to learn more this week and, hopefully, they're back in there before not too long. They're both, obviously, having great years."

A good swing decision

Cherington said first baseman John Nogowski, acquired Saturday from the St. Louis Cardinals for cash considerations, is expected to be active for Monday's game against the Atlanta Braves at PNC Park.

Nogowski fills a position of need after Colin Moran (fractured left hand) and Erik Gonzalez (right oblique strain) were placed on the 10-day injured list this past week.

"We needed a first baseman, given the recent injuries," Cherington said. "He had been designated (for assignment) and was available. We've been following him for a long time. He's a guy who makes really good swing decisions. He's had experience in the big leagues, experience in Triple-A, can play first and corner outfield, so we'll get him in there."

Boosting the bullpen

A day after he allowed five runs in 1 2/3 innings in an 11-2 loss to the Milwaukee Brewers, the Pirates optioned right-hander Cody Ponce to Triple-A Indianapolis and recalled righty reliever Nick Mears.

Mears rejoins the Pirates for a second stint this season after spending five days with the team in late May without appearing in a game. He allowed three runs on four hits with seven strikeouts and seven walks in four appearances in the majors last season.

The Pirates also announced right-hander Luis Oviedo (left quad strain), acquired from the New York Mets in a trade via the Rule 5 Draft, will begin his rehabilitation assignment Sunday with Indianapolis.

Trading places

The Pirates acquired left-handed pitcher Nathan Kirby from the Milwaukee Brewers in exchange for infielder Kevin Kramer, a 2015 2nd-round pick.

Kirby, 27, the Brewers' 1st-round compensation pick in 2015 (40th overall) out of Virginia, will be assigned to Double-A Altoona.

Kevin Gorman is a Tribune-Review staff writer. You can contact Kevin by email at kgorman@triblive.com or via Twitter .