ST. LOUIS -- The Pirates today will promote reliever Marino Salas from Class AAA Indianapolis and will have him in uniform tonight against the St. Louis Cardinals.

Salas, 26, was one of two minor-league pitchers general manager Neal Huntington acquired from the Milwaukee Brewers Dec. 7 for veteran reliever Salomon Torres. Kevin Roberts, who is with Class AA Altoona, was the other.

Salas was named Indianapolis' player of the month for April. He has a 0.77 ERA and has given up 17 hits and seven walks in 23 1/3 innings while striking out 20. He and Indianapolis pitching coach Ray Searage did extensive work late in spring training to restructure his mechanics and allow him to stay down in the zone more consistently.

Salas had to be added to the 40-man roster, which now is at 39. On the 25-man roster, he will take the place of starter John Van Benschoten, who was optioned back to Indianapolis last night.

More details in tomorrow's Post-Gazette.