PITTSBURGH – The Pirates are planning to select the contract of left-hander Hunter Barco ahead of their series against the Reds that begins Tuesday night at Great American Ball Park, a source told MLB.com. The Pirates have yet to confirm the move.

Barco, 24, is the team’s No. 4 prospect and the 82nd-ranked prospect in the game, according to MLB Pipeline. He was due to be eligible for the Rule 5 Draft this offseason, so the Pirates would have needed to add him to the 40-man roster anyway to protect him.

This way, Barco will get an opportunity to get his feet wet in the Majors and gain valuable experience ahead of next year, when he is expected to compete for starts.

Barco started his season in outstanding fashion with Double-A Altoona, making six starts without allowing a run. Th

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