Pirates reportedly promote top pitching prospect Bubba Chandler, who will be used as long reliever down the stretch

The Pittsburgh Pirates are finally making the move fans have been clamoring for all season. The team will reportedly promote pitching prospect Bubba Chandler to the majors Friday, according to MLB.com's Alex Stumpf.

Chandler, considered one of the best pitching prospects in the minors, was thought to be a candidate for an early promotion to the majors this season, but the Pirates held off until August before making the move.

While Chandler, 22, has excelled as a starter in the minors, the team will reportedly use him as a bulk reliever. The team still believes in Chandler's future as a starter, though, and he could see some starts down the stretch.

This story will be updated.