The Pittsburgh Pirates have recently made significant strategic adjustments to their roster, notably announcing the promotion of outfielder and first baseman Matt Gorski to their major league squad. This decision comes at a critical time as the team seeks to enhance its performance amid a challenging season. Alongside Gorski's promotion, the Pirates have also recalled right-handed pitcher Mike Burrows, who is expected to provide a much-needed boost to the pitching staff. These changes follow the team's decision to option outfielder Jack Suwinski to Triple-A Indianapolis and place pitcher Justin Lawrence on the 15-day injured list due to elbow inflammation.

In a procedural move to accommodate Gorski, the Pirates have transferred left-handed reliever Tim Mayza from the 15-day injured list to the 60-day injured list. This transition is largely a formality, as Mayza is anticipated to be sidelined for several weeks due to strains in his lat and shoulder. The Pirates' management is clearly committed to making the necessary roster adjustments to keep the team competitive during this precarious time.

This call-up is particularly significant for Matt Gorski, marking his first-ever opportunity in Major League Baseball. The 27-year-old outfielder was selected in the second round of the 2019 MLB Draft after showcasing his talents at Indiana University. Within the Pirates' organization, he has steadily gained recognition as one of the more promising talents. Throughout his formative years in the minor leagues, Gorski often found himself ranked within the middle tier of Pittsburgh's top 30 prospects. While scouts have noted his impressive speed and power capabilities, there have been lingering concerns regarding his hitting consistency, especially considering his high strikeout rates during his time in the lower minor leagues.

Looking back at his performance last year, Gorski appeared in 113 games, where he maintained a batting average of .257. His slugging percentage was notably impressive at .522, highlighted by 23 home runs and 15 successful stolen bases, despite being caught nine times. His strikeout rate hovered around an alarming 29%, which made the Pirates hesitant to add him to the 40-man roster, leaving him exposed to selection in the Rule 5 draft. Ultimately, Gorski went unselected, allowing him to remain within the organization. During Spring Training, he turned heads by hitting .360 with four home runs in just 27 at-bats, showcasing his potential and readiness for the major leagues.

As the 2023 season commenced, Gorski was initially reassigned to Triple-A, where he started the season strong, boasting a .300 batting average over the first 18 games with three home runs and seven doubles. Although he has struck out 18 times in 73 plate appearances, which translates to an approximate strikeout rate of 23.4%, the Pirates are eager to see how he can contribute to their struggling lineup. Currently, the team's batting statistics paint a bleak picture, with a meager .222 average and a .304 on-base percentage, placing them among the bottom ten teams in the league for both metrics. Their slugging percentage is particularly concerning, as only the Chicago White Sox and Kansas City Royals are performing worse in this regard.

Gorski's versatility is another asset; he is primarily a right fielder but has also played at all three outfield positions and first base. With Oneil Cruz firmly established in center field and Bryan Reynolds returning to right field after a brief stint as a designated hitter due to triceps issues, Gorski is likely to compete for at-bats with left fielder Tommy Pham. Pham has been struggling at the plate, currently holding a dismal batting line of .184/.267/.224 without a single home run. Gorski may also see time at first base, particularly in matchups against left-handed pitchers, as lefty-hitting utility infielder Enmanuel Valdez has been filling that role effectively.

On the pitching front, Burrows will be stepping into manager Derek Shelton's bullpen to fill the void left by Lawrence's injury. Lawrence, who was claimed off waivers from the Colorado Rockies early in Spring Training, has made a strong impression in his limited appearances, pitching 11 1/3 innings with only one run allowed. He has recorded 15 strikeouts and has induced ground balls at an impressive rate of 52.4%, making his untimely injury all the more impactful for the Pirates.

Alex Stumpf from MLB.com was the first to report Gorski's presence in the clubhouse, while Colin Beazley of The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette was the first to note Suwinski's option and Burrows' recall. As the Pirates strive to improve their performance in the ongoing season, these roster changes reflect their intent to shake up the dynamics and reclaim their competitive edge.