18 September: The Bucs have now made it official. Right-handed Kyle Nicolas was placed on the 15-day injured list effective September 17th due to a strained left oblique abdominal muscle. This frees up a spot on the active roster. Right-handed Ben Heller was transferred to the 60-day IL to free up a 40-man spot. Heller landed on the 15-day IL on August 30 due to right shoulder inflammation, so his season is over.

17 September: The Pirates will promote right-handers Jake Woodford to start tomorrow’s game in St. Louis, Noah Hiles of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette (X-Link) reports. He’s on a minor league contract, so the Bucs will have to add him to the 40-man roster.

This is Woodford’s second start with the Bucs and his third appearance in the major leagues this season. The 27-year-old began the season with the White Sox, allowing 10 runs in 8 1/3 innings. He had more room to play in Pittsburgh, but continued to struggle. Woodford pitched 22 innings with a 6.95 ERA before the Pirates called him up in late August.

This will be Woodford’s first appearance against the Cardinals. Up until this season, he had played his entire career with St. Louis. The 39th pick in the 2015 draft, he pitched 184 2/3 innings in four MLB seasons with the Cards. Woodford managed a respectable 4.29 earned run average overall, but struggled last season, posting a 6.23 in 47 2/3 innings, and the Cardinals did not sign him.

Pittsburgh’s 40-man roster is full, so they’ll have to make an appropriate move tomorrow. Woodford is out of options and can’t be sent back to the minor leagues without going on waivers. There’s a good chance the Bucs will take him off the 40-man roster early in the offseason, even if he stays in the major leagues for the final two weeks of the regular season.