Phil Irwin will not throw any bullpen sessions the next few days as he continues to battle elbow soreness. While the injury isn't believed to be serious at this point, he missed a large portion of the 2013 season after undergoing ulnar nerve transposition surgery. The 26-year-old worked his way back and looked strong in the Arizona Fall League. Any setbacks this spring though could hurt his chances of cracking the Opening Day roster.

Pirates activated RHP Phil Irwin from the 60-day disabled list. The 26-year-old right-hander suffered an elbow injury in early June and was forced to undergo ulnar nerve transposition surgery which wiped out the rest of his season. He returned to game action on Friday, notching three scoreless innings for Scottsdale in a victory over Glendale in Arizona Fall League action. He threw 39 pitches in the outing, 29 of them for strikes.

Phil Irwin (elbow) underwent ulnar nerve transposition surgery Wednesday in Pittsburgh. The surgery will put him on the shelf for two months, which means that he could be at risk for missing the rest of the season. Irwin made one start with the Pirates back in April and has a 0.90 ERA in two starts at the Triple-A level this year.

Pirates placed RHP Phil Irwin on the 60-day disabled list. Irwin suffered an injury with Triple-A Indianapolis, but the Pirates placed him on the 60-day DL to open a spot on the 40-man roster. He won't be eligible to return until early August.

Pirates optioned RHP Phil Irwin to Triple-A Indianapolis. Irwin allowed five runs -- four earned -- over 4 2/3 innings Sunday in a spot start against the Reds. The 26-year-old could get another shot later this summer.

Pirates recalled RHP Phil Irwin from Triple-A Indianapolis. He'll get the spot start Sunday in place of Wandy Rodriguez (hamstring). Irwin has a career 3.00 ERA over part of five seasons in the minors. He's likely to be sent back down after the start.

Phil Irwin will make his major league debut Sunday against the Reds. Irwin will make a spot start for Wandy Rodriguez and could find his way into the Pirates' rotation on a more regular basis at some point this season. The 26-year-old has a career 3.00 ERA over part of five seasons in the minors.

Pirates optioned RHP Phil Irwin to Triple-A Indianapolis. Irwin allowed 12 hits and nine runs (eight earned) over 10 1/3 Grapefruit League innings. The 26-year-old righty will function as organizational relief depth in 2013.

Phil Irwin struck out seven while allowing one run in 3 2/3 innings of relief Monday against the Orioles. Irwin opened last season in A-ball, but he finished it in Triple-A and he was added to the 40-man roster in November. Although he's 26, he wasn't viewed as much of a threat to make the Pirates out of spring training this year. He should make his major league debut sometime this season, though.