Taillon expected to headline September callups

CHICAGO — The Pirates’ clubhouse could be a little bit more crowded when they return to PNC Park on Friday.

Major League active rosters expand from 25 to 40 players on Thursday, an off-day for the Bucs, but expect to see a few familiar faces back with the club when they open a three-game series against the Brewers on Friday. The Pirates will use the added roster flexibility to bolster the club with role players and young arms.

Their first round of callups likely will include catcher Chris Stewart, utility man Adam Frazier and starting pitchers Jameson Taillon and Steven Brault.

Taillon will start Friday and Brault will get the call on Sunday, manager Clint Hurdle said Wednesday at Wrigley Field. Both rookies were optioned to Rookie-level Bristol on Tuesday in a procedural move that allowed Pittsburgh to call up Alen Hanson and Kelvin Marte. Frazier was sent to Bristol in a similar move on Sunday but should return Friday to his role as a utility player off the bench, making occasional starts at second base and in the outfield.

Stewart is nearing the end of a rehab assignment with Double-A Altoona, testing his balky left knee by playing every other day. He …

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