Jake Mangum was out of the lineup Wednesday against the Cubs, extending a run on the bench to three straight games.
The move came after Mangum had started in five of the Pirates' ensuing seven games since returning from the injured list on May 17, a stretch that suggested he had carved out a regular role before this latest switch. But Wednesday marked the third consecutive contest in which he was not in the starting lineup.
The timing matters because Mangum had been getting steady looks after the injured-list return, only to lose them again while the Pirates still had Bryan Reynolds and Oneil Cruz available. That leaves little obvious room for him in the outfield, especially with rookie Esmerlyn Valdez now getting prioritized ahead of him.
His path also remains tied to a bigger roster decision. Mangum's playing time is linked to whether the Pirates are willing to pull the plug on Marcell Ozuna as their primary designated hitter, and Ozuna is still struggling in that role. Until that changes, Mangum is left waiting for a chance that has already slipped away three games in a row.
