Grant

Koch

Koch was booted from Pittsburgh’s 40-man roster earlier this week and promptly went unclaimed on waivers. The 27-year-old backstop will head back to the minors as extra organizational catching depth after being designated for assignment for the first time in his career. He went 0-for-7 with six strikeouts and one walk in three games with the Pirates.

Koch is removed from the active and 40-man roster to make room for Ben Heller and Henry Davis, respectively. Koch will hit the waiver wire, and if he goes unclaimed, he’s likely back in Triple-A Indianapolis as organizational filler.

Koch is up to take the roster spot of Joey Bart with Bart heading to the injured list with his left thumb injury. Koch will likely serve as the backup backstop to Yasmani Grandal.

Davis has been fantastic offensively since being sent down, hitting .279/.456/.628 in 12 games, but the Pirates apparently don’t want to bring him back yet. If Grandal goes on the injured list, the light-hitting Koch would likely back up Joey Bart.