Markel claimed from Mariners, sent to Indy to work on control

NEW YORK -- On the surface, it's the most minor of minor moves, the Pirates claiming right-handed reliever Parker Markel from the Mariners. He's 28, he's bounced all over the planet, his only two stints in the majors came this year with a handful of bad cameos before Seattle gave up, too, and he's already been optioned to Class AAA Indianapolis.

Beneath the surface, too, the move might wind up just as minor. That's how these things go.

But it might be worth noting, regardless, that Clint Hurdle sounded unusually upbeat about the acquisition, speaking about it Saturday afternoon at Citi Field soon after a phone conversation with Neal Huntington.

"We like the fastball, the breaking ball, and the…