Bucs add Lindblom to bullpen mix

8/26/12: Josh Lindblom notches his first career save, striking out Tyler Moore for the final out of the Phillies' 4-1 win over the Nationals

SAN DIEGO -- In their recent low-profile additions, the Pirates have shown a definite affinity for onetime high Draft picks who, for one reason or another, have not yet performed up to their projections.

That trend continued with Monday's acquisition, on waivers, of right-hander Josh Lindblom from the A's. Lindblom, originally a second-round choice of the Dodgers in the 2008 First-Year Player Draft, has had limited success in four seasons with four different clubs.

"As we watched him this summer," Pittsburgh general manager Neal Huntington said, "we felt he's another guy who could add some depth. If things click, he could be a nice addition to our bullpen."

Now 27, Lindblom spent most of 2014 with Oakland's Triple-A Sacramento club, going 4-3 with a 5.79 ERA in 17 games, including 16 starts. He had been designated for assignment Nov. 28 by the A's, upon their trade with Toronto for a four-player package in exchange for Josh Donaldson.

Lindblom has appeared in 110 games, the majority in relief, with the Dodgers, Phillies, Rangers and A's, compiling an ERA of 3.82 in 126 2/3 innings.

"He has experience starting in the Minors, and pitching late in games at the big league level," Huntington said. "He has pitches we like, and feel he can come in and compete in camp to be a multi-innings reliever in our bullpen."

That makes Lindblom a candidate for the role filled the last two seasons by Jeanmar Gomez, who became a free agent last month upon declining a Minor League assignment. Gomez made 70 relief appearances the last two seasons for the Bucs -- 28 of them of two-plus innings.

To clear room for Lindblom on the 40-man roster, the Pirates optioned right-hander Angel Sanchez to Triple-A Indianapolis. Most recently, Sanchez had a solid stint in the Arizona Fall League, allowing three runs in eight relief appearances (12 innings) with the Scottsdale Scorpions.

Tom Singer is a reporter for MLB.com and writes an MLBlog Change for a Nickel. Follow him on Twitter @Tom_Singer. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

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Bucs add Lindblom to bullpen mix