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Pirates option Andrew Lambo, Jared Hughes to Triple-A

BRADENTON, Fla. — Andrew Lambo was given every chance to make the Pirates’ 25-man roster during spring training, but it simply did not work out.

Lambo was optioned to Triple-A Indianapolis on Tuesday, where he will begin the season as the everyday first baseman.

The move puts Travis Ishikawa, who's in camp as a non-roster invitee, in line to be the Pirates' backup first baseman on Opening Day.

In 17 Grapefruit League games, Lambo batted .095 with a .269 on-base plus slugging percentage. None of his four hits went for extra bases.

Lambo, who is a natural outfielder, made strides picking up the nuances of playing first base, according to team officials.

“Andrew exceeded expectations defensively,” general manager Neal Huntington said. “Offensively, the results weren't there. He faced a lot of fastball-count offspeed pitches. In our mind, the right thing to do to get him back on track was to have him start the season in Indianapolis.”

The Pirates made 10 other cuts on Tuesday. Outfielder Jaff Decker and reliever Jared Hughes were optioned to Indianapolis.

Pitchers Adam Wilk, Jay Jackson, Zack Thornton and Daniel Schlereth; outfielder Chris Dickerson; catcher Omir Santos; and infielders Robert Andino and Michael Martinez were reassigned to minor league camp.

There are 31 players left in camp. Barring a trade or free-agent signing, Ishikawa will make the team -- meaning the Pirates will have to make a move to get him on the 40-man roster.

Huntington said the Pirates likely will not finalize their 25-man active roster until this weekend, when the club plays two exhibition games in Philadelphia against the Phillies.

Channel 11’s news exchange partners at TribLIVE contributed to this report.