Pirates activate Michael Morse, option Jaff Decker to AAA

1B/OF Michael Morse has officially reported to the Pirates and will be active tonight vs the Chicago Cubs. To make room for Morse, the Pirates optioned Jaff Decker.

Decker has hit .077 (1-13) at the Major League level this season.

Just arriving today it’s not clear yet if Morse will be in the lineup but the Pirates are facing lefty Jon Lester. Morse is 0-3 in his career vs Lester and is hitting .091 vs lefties this season. GM Neal Huntington said a few days ago the plan is for Morse to spell Alvarez at first base.

“Morse is a right-handed bat off the bench who can spell Pedro at first base,” Huntington said. “We’ll see how it plays out. If we can get him back to where he was a year ago, it could play out very well. If he continues to scuffle, then we’ll have a decision to make as we move forward.”