It was the same old story for the Pirates’ bullpen yesterday, and that led to yet another blown lead and another loss. Joe Block has the story.
Manager Derek Shelton had a simple explanation for David Bednar’s struggles.
The Pirates start a West Coast road trip tonight at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, where Mitch Keller [10-5, 3.20 ERA] tries to snap a four-game losing streak against the Dodgers’ right-hander Jack Flaherty [8-5, 2.80 ERA]. It’s a 9:45 airtime, 10:10 first pitch on WCCS.
Another struggling Pirates relief pitcher, Colin Holderman, was placed on the 15-day injured list yesterday with a sprained right wrist. In his past five games, Holderman has given up four home runs and eleven runs, with a 16.62 ERA, two blown leads, and two losses. To replace Holderman on the roster, the Bucs called up Ben Heller from Indianapolis. He made two disastrous relief appearances for the Pirates in June, giving up 11 runs, but he has a 1.33 ERA for Indy in this past 21 games.
Outfielder Edward Olivares was designated for assignment. He started hot for the Pirates but tailed off and was sent to Indy on July 9th.
The Pirates will call up right-hander Domingo Germán from Indianapolis in time for tonight’s game, according to MLB.com’s Alex Stumpf. The former Yankees pitcher has a 5.29 ERA in AAA, but his minor league contract stipulates that he can exercise an opt-out if he isn’t in the majors by today’s date.
Pitcher Jared Jones threw 2-and-two-thirds innings in his first rehab start for Indianapolis last night, giving up one hit, a two-run home run, in a 3-1 loss in Nashville. Jones struck out three and walked one. Another pitcher on the comeback trail, right-hander Mike Burrows, threw five scoreless innings in relief of Jones. Outfielder Joshua Palacios began his rehab stint as well, going 0-for-2 at the plate.
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