The Pirates optioned Crowe to Triple-A Indianapolis on Thursday, Alex Stumpf of DKPittsburghSports.com reports.
Crowe's demotion comes as little surprise after he was lit up for 11 earned runs on 13 hits and four walks in 5.1 innings between his last two starts. Chase De Jong will temporarily take over Crowe's spot as Pittsburgh's No. 5 starter, but he may only be keeping a spot warm in the rotation for Trevor Cahill (calf), who could return from the injured list within the next week or two.