Morning Pirates Buzz: More Roster Moves coming

*The Pirates are off today and the team’s braintrust are holding internal meetings this morning and early afternoon, as the team prepares to make a flurry of roster moves going into Friday’s big three game series with the St. Louis Cardinals.

Indications are we could see as many four players joining the 25-man roster, with Ronny Cedeno expected to be called up and Jason Grilli officially signed who was added to the 25-man roster this morning.

Just a bit ago, the Pirates optioned Pedro Ciriaco, Josh Harrison and moved Evan Meek to the 60-day DL.

Steve Pearce and Jason Jaromillo are also under strong consideration to join the team for Friday.

Chris Leroux is the most likely candidate to be sent down with the likely callups of Cedeno and Pearce. Eric Fryer would go down if the Pirates bring up Jason Jaramillo

It is not clear how much consideration Pedro Alvarez is going to be given today by Pirate officials.

Word on Wednesday was that the Pirates would like to give Alvarez at least another week in the minors and are hopeful to bring Alvarez up for the start of the Cubs series on August 1. However, the team continues to preach patience and are willing to wait it out until they deem he is absolutely ready to have an impact at the Major League Level.

Alvarez is batting .340 with 2 home runs and 10 RBI’s in 14 games with Triple-A Indy. Indications are it would be a “surprise” if Alvarez would get the call for Friday.

*Ryan Doumit(ankle) is beginning his rehab stint today in Bradenton. Barring no setback, the Pirates believe Doumit could be back with the team within 7-10 days.

Doumit is as streaky as they come offensively but he will be a big boost at a position the Pirates are not getting much from, at least from an offensive standpoint.

*Pitcher Ross Ohlendorf will move his rehab assignment to Double-A Altoona. He will start on Sunday.