Bucs make Minor League swap

Jenifer Langosch/MLB.com

The Pirates sent right-hander Ryan Kelly to the Athletics and received infielder Corey Wimberly in return. Wimberly will report to the Pirates’ Spring Training as a non-roster invitee.

Wimberly, 27, is a former sixth-round round pick from the 2005 First-Year Player Draft. Taken by the Rockies, Wimberly played in Colorado’s farm system before being dealt to Oakland for Matt Murton in February 2009.

Wimberly has played five different positions in the Minors, though he’s been predominantly used as a middle infielder. He swiped 56 bases in 135 games with Triple-A Sacramento last season, giving him 259 career stolen bases in 563 games.

The switch-hitter batted .284 in his first season at the Triple-A level and has stolen at least 50 bases in three of his five full Minor League seasons. Though he has not yet appeared in the Majors, Wimberly will get a chance to compete for a big-league bench spot this spring. The Pirates are looking for someone who can back up Ronny Cedeno and Neil Walker up the middle.

Kelly, a 26th-round pick in 2006, posted a 4.20 ERA in 38 games (one start) with low-A West Virginia last year.

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