Pirates promote RHP Kyle Nicolas, who has made a successful switch to a relief role

A switch from starter to reliever provided a path to the major leagues for Kyle Nicolas, as the Pittsburgh Pirates selected the right-hander’s contract Tuesday in a series of roster moves.

Nicolas, ranked the Pirates’ No. 26 prospect by MLB Pipeline, has thrived since switching to a bullpen role in August. The 6-foot-4, 232-pounder had a 1.20 ERA and 0.80 WHIP with a .118 batting average against in his final 12 relief appearances at Triple-A Indianapolis and recorded at least one strikeout in all 17 relief appearances.

The Pirates acquired Nicolas, along with right-hander Zach Thompson and minor-league outfielder Connor Scott, from the Miami Marlins for catcher Jacob Stallings in December 2021.

Kyle Nicolas will become the 12th Indianapolis Indian to make his MLB debut with the @Pirates this season and the 14th @BallStateBB product to play in the big leagues.

Chirp chirp. ????#LetsGoBucs | @MyFranciscan

— Indianapolis Indians (@indyindians) September 19, 2023

The 24-year-old Nicolas was 2-4 with a 3.97 ERA and 1.30 WHIP in 90 2/3 innings over 24 games, including 22 starts, for Double-A Altoona in 2022. He started the season with the Curve again this year, going 3-5 with a 4.36 ERA and 1.47 WHIP over 53 2/3 innings over 12 starts.

But Nicolas didn’t fare as well as a starter at Indianapolis and was moved to the bullpen after six starts. He averaged 11.6 strikeouts per nine innings over the two minor-league levels.

To make room for Nicolas on the 28-man roster, the Pirates optioned righty reliever Thomas Hatch to Indianapolis. To create space on the 40-man roster, designated hitter Andrew McCutchen was transferred from the 10-day injured list to the 60-day IL with an Achilles strain.