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Pirates pitcher Jordan Lyles retrieves the ball before pitching against the Orioles Thursday, March 7, 2019, at LECOM Park in Bradenton.
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Jordan Lyles will make Pirates debut Thursday

Matt Freed/Post-Gazette

Jordan Lyles will make Pirates debut Thursday

CINCINNATI — The Pirates finally have their fifth starter.

Jordan Lyles will make his Pirates debut Thursday against the Cincinnati Reds at PNC Park. Lyles began the season on the 10-day injured list because cramping in his side during spring training delayed his buildup. He threw 92 pitches in six innings in a simulated game on Friday.

“It was a normal game,” Lyle said. “If we had a quick inning they would keep rolling guys, get another out or two. We went through the first few innings clean so we put guys on base to create traffic.”

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Trevor Williams started Sunday’s game after Saturday’s rainout. Joe Musgrove, Sunday’s previously scheduled starter, is available out of the bullpen, manager Clint Hurdle said.

Pirates catcher Francisco Cervelli heads to the clubhouse before taking on the Cardinals Monday, April 1, 2019, at PNC Park.
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Chris Archer will start Monday’s home opener. After Tuesday’s off day, opening-day starter Jameson Taillon will start Wednesday, followed by Lyles, Musgrove and Williams.

“[Pitching coach] Ray [Searage] likes giving a sixth day to these starters coming out of the blocks,” Hurdle said. “He always has. That’s a big part of it. And when you’re talking about guys’ mindset of making 32 starts, it’s not a sprint.”

The Pirates signed Lyles to a one-year, $2.05 million contract with the idea of making him the fifth starter. They agreed to terms right around the same time they created the vacancy by trading Ivan Nova.

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“So to build in some time early, and to get also a guy [Lyles] that you want to commit to, up and running, this is the best way we feel also to get Jordan up and running and still keep the other guys in play with opportunities to pitch somewhat regular,” Hurdle said. “Five, six days. At the end of the day it’s about getting everybody in the best position possible through the first two weeks to get some consistency and some routines built up.”

Last-minute good news for Brault

Steven Brault woke up on opening day unsure of whether he’d be heading to the ballpark, and eventually the bullpen, or to Indianapolis. It wasn’t until 9 a.m. that Hurdle told him he’d made the roster.

“It’s tough. It’s not ideal,” Brault said. “So in competitions when you don’t really know exactly who’s going to be on the roster or how its going to work, it’s a little bit of extra stress.”

Pittsburgh Pirates' Jung Ho Kang hits a double off Cincinnati Reds relief pitcher Jared Hughes in the ninth inning of a baseball game, Sunday, March 31, 2019, in Cincinnati.
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Brault made the roster because Lyles began the season on the IL. The Pirates, who are currently carrying eight relievers, will have to make a move to activate Lyles Thursday.

“It was stressful for a while, not knowing exactly what I was going to be doing,” Brault said. “But there’s worse things that can happen. I’m happy that I made the team coming out of spring training. We’ll see how the rest of the season progresses, but for now, I’m going to be here and hopefully get in and get some innings.”

Bill Brink: bbrink@post-gazette.com and Twitter @BrinkPG.

Nubyjas Wilborn contributed reporting.

Bill Brink: bbrink@post-gazette.com and Twitter @BrinkPG.

First Published: March 31, 2019, 3:04 p.m.

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