1B/OF Michael Morse joins Pirates 3 days after trade

Burnett has given up at least five runs in each of his last three starts.

After making two moves to upgrade an already solid bullpen, the Pittsburgh Pirates added depth to their rotation on Friday by acquiring J.A. Happ from Seattle for minor-league pitcher Adrian Sampson.

The Los Angeles Dodgers have traded first baseman Michael Morse and cash to the Pittsburgh Pirates for outfielder Jose Tabata.

Morse was designated for assignment by the Dodgers on Thursday after being acquired from the Miami Marlins in a 13-player trade.

The 33-year-old Morse hit just. Morse’s presence gives them even more flexibility. “If he continues to scuffle, we’ll have a decision to make moving forward”. He is expected to report to triple-A Oklahoma City.

The Pirates also recalled left-handed pitcher Bobby LaFromboise from Triple-A Indianapolis and placed right-handed pitcher A.J. Burnett on the 15-day disabled list with right elbow inflammation.

LaFromboise, who is in his second stint with Pittsburgh this year, went 1-1 with a 2.72 ERA and 39 strikeouts in 42 appearances for Indianapolis this season.

To open a spot for Soria, the Pirates designated reliever Deolis Guerra for assignment.

Happ pitched Thursday night, allowing six earned runs and three homers in 3 1/3 innings in a 9-5 loss to the Minnesota Twins.

The deal was announced shortly before a 4 p.m. EDT deadline for non-waiver trades.

“If that’s the case, the eighth (inning) is very similar”, Soria said. Soria doesn’t have any close friends on the Pirates. “You recognize faces. I know some of them”.