Pirates DFA Bligh Madris in roster shuffle before doubleheader at Reds

The Pirates made several roster moves prior to their doubleheader Tuesday against the Cincinnati Reds, including selecting the contract of right-handed pitcher Luis Ortiz to start the second game.

Ortiz was added to the taxi squad Monday but will join the Pirates as the 29th man for the doubleheader. The first game starts at 12:35 p.m. at Great American Ball Park, with Ortiz making his major league debut in the nightcap at 6:40.

The Pirates also recalled catcher/first baseman Zack Collins, who was claimed off waivers from the Toronto Blue Jays on Sept. 7. To make room on the 28-man roster, the Pirates optioned infielder/outfielder Tucupita Marcano to Triple-A Indianapolis. To make room on the 40-man roster, they designated first baseman/outfielder Bligh Madris for assignment.

The 6-foot-2, 240-pound Ortiz, 24, was 5-9 with a 4.64 ERA and 1.17 WHIP, 9.9 strikeouts per nine innings over 114 1/3 innings in 24 games (23 starts) at Double-A Altoona. Ranked the Pirates’ No. 30 prospect by MLB Pipeline, Ortiz is coming off a strong start for Indianapolis where he struck out nine batters in six no-hit innings in a 5-4 loss to Omaha on Thursday.

Collins, 27, a 2016 first-round pick (No. 10 overall) and former top-100 prospect for the Chicago White Sox, was traded to the Toronto Blue Jays in April for former Pirates first-round pick Reese McGuire. Collins slashed .194/.266/.417 with four doubles, four homers and 10 RBIs in 26 games with the Blue Jays.

Pirates manager Derek Shelton said that Collins will primarily play first base for the Pirates.

Marcano, who turns 23 on Friday, slashed .201/.251/.302 with six doubles, two triples, two home runs and 13 RBIs in 48 games for the Pirates this season. He batted .180 (16 for 89) in 26 games since being recalled on Aug. 3.

Madris, 26, slashed .177/.244/.265 with seven doubles, one homer and seven RBIs in 39 games with the Pirates this season. He was optioned to Indianapolis on Aug. 29.