.jpg "Photo by Pittsburgh Pirates")
The Pirates have placed right-handed pitcher Juan Cruz on the restricted list, so he can return home to the Dominican Republic and attend to some personal business.
Cruz has been a key part of a bullpen that leads the National League in ERA. The veteran reliever is 1-1 with a 1.45 ERA in 20 appearances this season for Pittsburgh after signing a one-year deal with the team in the offseason.
Lefty Doug Slaten has been selected from Triple-A Indianapolis.
Slaten, who was signed as a minor league free agent in January, went 2-0 with eight saves and a 0.36 ERA in 20 minor league games this season. Through yesterday’s action, he had produced the second-lowest batting average against (.161) among International League relief pitchers.
The 32-year old Slaten has appeared in 206 major league games with Arizona and Washington since 2006, posting a 4-1 record with a 3.10 ERA as recently as 2010 with the Nationals.
