Pirates add Lincoln, Hernandez to 40 man roster; release Karstens

The Pittsburgh Pirates today released veteran pitcher Jeff Karstens and announced they have added the following four players to the 40-man roster:

Ramon Aguero (RHP) – Signed as a non-drafted free agent by Pittsburgh on 7/19/05 from the Dominican Republic…Played at three different levels in 2009 and posted a 2-4 record, four saves and a 3.86 ERA (84.0ip/36er) in 39 games (three starts) with West Virginia (A), Lynchburg (A) and Altoona (AA)…Went 4-for-4 in his save opportunities – all coming with Altoona…Spent the entire 2008 season pitching with State College in the New York-Penn League.

Gorkys Hernandez (OF) – Was acquired from Atlanta, along with pitchers Charlie Morton and Jeff Locke, in exchange for Nate McLouth on 6/3/09…Was ranked by Baseball America as the fourth-best prospect in the Braves organization prior to the ’09 season…Hit .262 with three homers and 31 RBI in 86 games with Altoona and ended the season with an 11-game hitting streak…Also batted .316 with 19 RBI in 52 games with Double-A Mississippi before joining Pittsburgh organization… Was ranked by Baseball America as Atlanta’s fourth-best prospect prior to the 2009 season…Was originally signed by Detroit as a non-drafted free agent in 2005 out of Venezuela…Was named Midwest League’s MVP while playing with West Michigan in 2007.

Brad Lincoln (RHP) – Pittsburgh’s first round selection (4th pick overall) in the 2006 First-Year Player Draft…Went 7-9 with a 3.37 ERA (136.1ip/51er) in 25 combined starts with Altoona and Indianapolis (AAA) in 2009…Ranked second among Pittsburgh farmhands in ERA and third in strikeouts (107)…Pitched in the MLB Futures Game in St. Louis on 7/12…Also captured a Gold Medal while pitching for Team USA in the Baseball World Cup in September…Was ranked by Baseball America as the club’s fourth-best prospect prior to the 2009 season.

Bryan Morris (RHP) –Was acquired from Los Angeles (NL) as part of a three-team, six-player deal on 7/31/08…Was ranked by Baseball America as Pittsburgh’s fifth-best prospect prior to the 2009 season…Spent entire 2009 campaign with Carolina League champion Lynchburg club and went 4-9 with a 5.57 ERA (72.2ip/45er) in 15 starts…Was the winning pitcher in the fifth and final game of the first round playoff series against Wilmington…Was originally selected by the Dodgers in the first round of the 2006 First-Year Player Draft (26th player chosen overall).

The Pirates also designated pitcher Justin Thomas and catcher Robinzon Diaz for assignment and reinstated pitchers Jose Ascanio and Evan Meek from the 60-day disabled list.

Pittsburgh’s 40-man roster now contains 40 players (20 pitchers, 2 catchers, 12 infielders and 6 outfielders).