PITTSBURGH (93-7 The FAN) — The Pittsburgh Pirates optioned outfielder Alex Presley to Triple-A Indianapolis Wednesday.

Presley is mired in a 3-for-34 slump at the plate and is hitless in his last 14 at-bats in the majors. He got off to a hot start to start the season but is now hitting just .220 with seven RBIs.

Pirates manager Clint Hurdle said the demotion is in an effort for Presley to work out his hitting issues in the minors. He said Presley just doesn’t have it right now, but he also said that Presley is part of the team’s long-term plans in the outfield.

It wouldn’t be a surprise to see Presley back in the majors within a couple weeks if all goes well. He’s clearly a better player than Yamaico Navarro and Nate McLouth — both will fill Presley’s spot — and he has more potential.

If Presley can get a good string of games and at-bats together in Indy he should find his way back to Pittsburgh soon.

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Chris Gates | Bucs Blog
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Chris.Gates@cbsradio.com