Pirates’ Ludwick goes on DL with back spasms

PITTSBURGH (AP) — Pittsburgh Pirates left fielder Ryan Ludwick has gone on the 15-day disabled list with muscle spasms in the middle of his back.

Ludwick sat out Tuesday’s 11-4 loss to the Milwaukee Brewers then underwent an MRI on Wednesday morning, though the results were not immediately available.

Ludwick has hit .262 with one home run and seven RBIs in 21 games since the Pirates acquired him from the San Diego Padres in a trade July 31. He batted .238 with 11 homers and 64 RBIs in 101 games for San Diego.

The move opened a roster spot for left-hander Aaron Thompson, whose contract was purchased from Triple-A Indianapolis. Thompson made his major-league debut Wednesday when he started against Milwaukee.

Infielder Pedro Ciriaco had been told after Tuesday’s game that he would be optioned to Indianapolis after he had been recalled earlier in the day. But when it became apparent Ludwick would be going on the DL, the Pirates contacted Ciriaco at the Pittsburgh airport Wednesday morning before he got on a flight to Indianapolis and had him return to PNC Park in time for the afternoon game.