PITTSBURGH -- The Pittsburgh Pirates have recalled prized prospect Starling Marte from Triple-A Indianapolis and are expected to make him their regular left fielder.

The Pirates made the move Wednesday. Marte will join them for Thursday night's game at Houston. He has never played in the majors.

The contending Pirates have recently used a platoon of Alex Presley and Drew Sutton in left field. The 24-year-old Marte hit .286 in 98 games for Indianapolis with 20 doubles, 13 triples, 12 home runs, 61 RBIs and 21 stolen bases.

Marte won the Eastern League batting title last season with a .332 average for Double-A Altoona.

The Pirates optioned right-handed reliever Evan Meek to Indianapolis. An All-Star in 2010, Meek has a 6.75 ERA in 12 games in three stints with Pittsburgh this season.