Ryan Vogelsong returns for Pittsburgh Pirates

The Pittsburgh Pirates recalled veteran right-hander Ryan Vogelsong from his rehabilitation assignment with Triple-A Indianapolis to start Thursday's game versus the Atlanta Braves.

Infielder Max Moroff was optioned to Indianapolis to open a roster spot for Vogelsong, who is returning to the mound after getting hit in the face by a fastball that caused multiple facial fractures and required surgery.

Vogelsong, who last pitched on May 23, posted a 1-1 mark with a 3.74 ERA in 12 appearances earlier this season.

"You can't replicate playoffs or World Series baseball, but from an emotional standpoint, it's going to be way up there," the 39-year-old Vogelsong told the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette of his impending return. "The last couple days, I've thought about what happened. I feel very blessed and fortunate that I'm even getting another chance to play this game because there was a couple days there where I didn't know.

"I need to show what I can do and what I came here to do in the first place."

Moroff struck out twice in two at-bats since being recalled from Indianapolis earlier in the week.