Morning Rundown: Pirates make several roster moves, Paul Skenes pitches 6.1 shutout innings
Morning Rundown: Pirates make several roster moves, Paul Skenes pitches 6.1 shutout innings
Pirates add some depth relievers and make a shocking DFA. Skenes fantastic again in latest start.
The Pittsburgh Pirates have made several roster moves over the last day or so, quite a few of which involve the bullpen.
RHP Dennis Santana was claimed off waivers from the New York Yankees. Santana, 28, has a 6.26 ERA (4.87 xFIP) over 27.1 innings pitched this year for the Yankees. He has registered a 5.34 ERA (4.66 xFIP) over 177 career innings between the Dodgers, Rangers, Mets, and Yankees.
According to his Baseball Savant page, Santana mainly throws a sinker and slider but also mixes in a cutter, four-seam, and change-up.
To make room for Santana, the Pirates designated Jose Hernandez for assignment.
It’s an interesting move, as Hernandez was their Rule 5 pick from a year ago, hanging on to the major league team all of 2023. He’s been up and down between the majors and minors, but it appeared he was out of favor with the team.
He hadn’t pitched in quite some time with the Pirates, where they eventually passed over him in a key situation, citing his lack of playing time recently, before being optioned back to Indianapolis and then DFA’d.
They also signed Luis Cessa to a minor league deal and assigned him to the Indianapolis Indians. He had been pitching in the Kansas City Royals’ system.
In 425 innings pitched at the major league level, Cessa has posted a 4.43 ERA with an 18.3% strikeout rate. He’s been a heavy slider usage pitcher, using it 37% in 2023, and historically, it’s generally been his best pitch.
Jake Woodford was signed to a minor league deal. The former 39th overall pick in 2015, Woodford had spent most of his career in the St. Louis Cardinals’ organization before signing with the White Sox this past off-season.
He has a 10-9 record in the majors, posting a 4.57 ERA over 193 innings pitched. Woodford will help some of the depth when it comes to starting pitching with Indianapolis.
Paul Skenes pitched into the seventh inning for the first time in his major league career. He finished with 6.1 shutout innings, allowing just five hits while striking out eight.
He ended up with a no-decision as neither team scored until the ninth inning. Nick Gonzales and Bryan Reynolds picked up extra-base hits. Connor Joe and Oneil Cruz drove in the only two runs of the game.
With the win, the Pirates jumped up to second place in the NL Central.
Charles McAdoo had another fantastic game for the Greensboro Grasshoppers, picking up three hits and driving in five.
He hit his ninth home run of the season on the first pitch he saw on the night. It was on a breaking ball that he was able to slow down his swing, wait on it, and drive it out for a massive home run.
With the three-hit game, McAdoo brings his season average up to .337, while also posting an OPS of .970.
Altoona Curve activated RHP Grant Ford from the 7-day injured list
SS Kalae Harrison assigned to Greensboro Grasshoppers from Altoona Curve
RHP Drake Fellows assigned to Altoona Curve from Indianapolis Indians
RHP Braxton Ashcraft assigned to Indianapolis Indians from Altoona Curve
SS Brenden Dixon assigned to Altoona Curve from Indianapolis Indians
RHP Garrett McMillan assigned to Bradenton Marauders from Greensboro Grasshoppers
RHP Dariel Florentino assigned to DSL Pirates Black
Greensboro Grasshoppers activated RHP Scott Randall from the 7-day injured list
Indianapolis Indians sent RHP Fineas Del Bonta-Smith on a rehab assignment to Greensboro Grasshoppers
RHP Luis Cessa assigned to Indianapolis Indians
Indianapolis Indians activated LHP Brady Feigl from the 7-day injured list
Indianapolis Indians activated CF Joshua Palacios from the 7-day injured list
RHP Jake Woodford assigned to Indianapolis Indians
Pittsburgh Pirates recalled RHP Ryder Ryan from Indianapolis Indians
Indianapolis Indians released RHP Wily Peralta
Pittsburgh Pirates optioned 1B Niko Goodrum
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Top Exit Velocity
Rowdy Tellez - PIT - 108.7 mph - Groundout
Connor Joe - PIT - 106.1 mph - Fielder’s Choice
Matt Gorski - IND - 105.3 mph - Groundout
Nick Gonzales - PIT - 102.7 mph - Double
Bryan Reynolds - PIT - 102.2 mph - Triple
Top Pitch Velocity
Aroldis Chapman - PIT - 102.4 mph
Aroldis Chapman - PIT - 102.3 mph
Aroldis Chapman - PIT - 101.2 mph
Paul Skenes - PIT - 100.4 mph
Paul Skenes - PIT - 100.3 mph
Most Whiffs
Indianapolis Indians - 1 vs Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp - 2
Top Hitter - Joshua Palacios: 2-4
Top Pitcher - Daulton Jefferies: 5.2 IP, 4 H, ER, 2 K
Altoona Curve - 2 vs Erie SeaWolves - 11
Top Hitter - Seth Beer: 2-4, R, 2 RBI, HR
Top Pitcher - Emmanuel Chapman: 2 IP
Greensboro Grasshoppers - 11 vs Winston-Salem Dash - 5
Top Hitter - Charles McAdoo: 3-6, 2 R, 5 RBI, HR
Top Pitcher - Alessandro Ercolani: 3 IP, H, ER, 4 K
Bradenton Marauders - PPD
FCL Pirates - PPD
DSL Pirates Black - 4 vs DSL Pirates Gold - 5
Top Hitter - Kendrick Herrera: 0-3, RBI, BB
Top Pitcher - Wali Pierre: 2 IP, H, 2 BB, K
DSL Pirates Gold - 5 vs DSL Pirates Black - 4
Top Hitter - Angel Rodriguez: 1-2, 2 R, 2 BB
Top Pitcher - Cesar Aquino: 2.2 IP, H, K
https://blogs.fangraphs.com/oneil-cruz-has-shaken-off-the-rust/
I was at the game last night and I can just say Paul Skenes was a rock star last night. The crowd around the Pirates bullpen by Cardinal fans was pretty thick. I actually got 5th row seats behind the Pirates dug-outs and there were more Pirate jerseys than I have seen at a Cardinal game. I will be second row tonight, then away from the sun Thursday afternoon when it will be 95 degrees.