Ryan Ludwick (back) will come off the disabled list when first eligible next Wednesday. Ludwick has already declared himself 100 percent healthy, and there's little reason to believe he won't be activated and inserted into the starting lineup on Wednesday. If you've got a thin outfield in your weekly NL-only league, he could be a shrewd start.

Ryan Ludwick said he's already 100 percent recovered from his back spasms. Ludwick said he's had back spasms before, but he usually gets them during the offseason and they come and go quickly. However, since he felt the spasms Tuesday and again Wednesday, the Pirates felt they couldn't risk having an empty spot on the bench. "In hindsight, we arguably put a player on the disabled list who might not have needed to go there, but given how short we were as a major league team we didn't feel like we could go short through the weekend," GM Neal Huntington said. Ludwick should be good to go when first eligible on September 7.

Pirates placed OF Ryan Ludwick on the 15-day disabled list, retroactive to August 23, with mid-back muscle spasms. Wednesday's starter Aaron Thompson will replace him on the active roster. Ludwick is batting .262 (17-for-65) with one home run, three doubles and seven RBI over 21 games since being acquired from the Padres last month. He will be a free agent following the season, so the Pirates are better off playing Jose Tabata and Alex Presley down the stretch, anyway.

The Pirates have sent Ryan Ludwick for an MRI on his back. Ludwick's back has locked up on him for two straight days. Pedro Ciriaco, who was expected to be sent to the minors, will likely still around if he needs to be placed on the disabled list. The hot-hitting Jose Tabata will make the start in left field Wednesday while Xavier Paul plays right.

Ryan Ludwick went 2-for-3 with two RBI in Pittsburgh's 5-0 win in San Francisco on Monday. The two RBI double his Pirates total. Batting .280 since coming over from San Diego, Ludwick should be worth starting in most mixed leagues down the stretch after escaping the National League West and its stable of pitcher-friendly parks.

Ryan Ludwick went 4-for-4 with an RBI and a walk in Pittsburgh's blowout loss to the Padres on Friday evening. Coming into this evening, Ludwick had been just 1-for-11 since making his Pirates debut on Monday. Certainly an upgrade in right field for the Bucs, Ludwick is obviously not enough to put them over the top.

Ryan Ludwick is expected to join the Pirates for Monday's game against the Cubs. The ex-Padre will be taking the early morning flight to Pittsburgh. It's not clear whether he'll play left or right field with Jose Tabata (quads) sidelined.

Pirates acquired OF Ryan Ludwick from the Pirates in exchange for a player to the named later. The Pirates were targeting an outfield bat and came away with one that should be an upgrade for them despite his .238/.301/.372 batting line for the season. Ludwick's power numbers should rise after getting away from Petco Park, where he's a career .218/.298/.361 hitter. It's not clear whether he'll play left or right field for the time being, but he'll be right when/if Jose Tabata (quad) returns.

FOX Sports' Jon Paul Morosi reports that the Pirates are nearing a trade for Ryan Ludwick. The Indians had reportedly all but sewn up a deal by Saturday night, but they ultimately decided they didn't want to pay what it would take to land the outfielder. It's not clear if the Tribe will target a different outfielder or just stand pat. Ludwick's arrival in the Steel City would rule out the Pirates going after B.J. Upton.

Yahoo's Tim Brown reports that the Pirates are back in the running for Ryan Ludwick. Not coincidentally, it was reported earlier by Jonathan Mayo of MLB.com that the Indians were balking at the Padres' asking price for the outfielder. After Ludwick's trade to the Tribe was looking like a done deal, it now appears it's legitimately a two-horse race.