Morning Rundown: Paul Skenes strikes out eight, Quinn Priester added to taxi squad, Aroldis Chapman suspended

Paul Skenes has another fantastic night on the mound, Priester added to the taxi squad, and Chapman is suspended.

Apr 19, 2024

Paul Skenes made his fourth start of the season for Triple-A Indianapolis and struck out eight batters over 3.1 innings pitched. He struck out six of the first seven batters that he faced.

The St. Paul lineup made him work more than usual, as he allowed his first extra-base hit of the season and walked two.

He did work out of having a base runner on third and two outs with a strikeout after throwing a wild pitch to move the runner from second over.

Skenes has now struck out 27 batters in 12.2 innings pitched while still yet to allow a run.

The fastball averaged 100 MPH and was thrown 41 times with four whiffs and 12 called strikes.

If the rotation stays in order and there are no rain delays, Skenes should be in line to pitch next Wednesday. The following week should be his first opportunity to pitch on a Tuesday/Sunday

In what was maybe the worst-kept secret, the Pirates have added Quinn Priester to the taxi squad, which would put him in line to start on Friday against the Red Sox.

Marco Gonzales was put on the injured list over the weekend, but the Pirates replaced him with a reliever originally (Ryder Ryan). They had the option to skip over the fifth spot in the rotation with the off-day on Thursday but opted to bring up Priester.

Priester needs just one out to graduate from prospect status, and we will update our Top 25 list when that does happen.

In addition to being ejected from his last game, Aroldis Chapman has been suspended for two games for his actions earlier this week.

Ejected for arguing with the home plate umpire, there might have been more said that led to the ejection.

Connor Scott was transferred to the Development List while with the Altoona Curve
Altoona Curve activated SS Mike Jarvis from the 7-day injured list
LHP Nick Dombkowski was assigned to the Indianapolis Indians from the Altoona Curve
RHP Jack Carey was assigned to the Altoona Curve from the Greensboro Grasshoppers
Quinn Priester was added to the taxi squad

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