CINCINNATI — With Jordan Lyles now a member of the Milwaukee Brewers, the Pirates have a need for a starting pitcher.
It does not look like that slot will go to their top prospect, Mitch Keller.
Speaking before Monday's game against the Reds at Great American Ball Park, Pirates manager Clint Hurdle threw some cold water on what many fans seem to want: for Keller to get another shot at the big leagues.
"I don’t believe that we’re going to entertain Mitch Keller coming back unless it’s going to be to get plugged in and stay in," Hurdle said. "That’s not going to do him any good. He needs to pitch."
Keller has been given three chances with the big club this season, and none of them have gone terribly well. The 23-year-old right-hander has an 0-1 record with a 10.50 ERA and a WHIP of 2.250.
While the MLB stats have left a lot to be desired, Keller has been tremendous with Class AAA Indianapolis, leading the International League in both ERA (3.41) and strikeouts (111).
For whatever reason, Keller simply hasn't been able to get things to translate to baseball's highest level.
Alex McRae made Monday's spot start, and the Pirates will follow with Joe Musgrove and Dario Agrazal to round out this series.
After Thursday's off day, Trevor Williams is expected to go Friday, and it would make sense to use Chris Archer on Saturday.
Hurdle said on Monday that Steven Brault — who threw a four-inning simulated game on Saturday — would likely make a rehab start on Thursday and could potentially rejoin the Pirates' rotation five days after that.
That would actually work because the Pirates can use Musgrove and Agrazal on Sunday and Monday and keep them on normal rest, allowing Brault to plug the hole left by the Lyles trade on Aug. 6 against the Brewers.
"The next few days something else might flesh out, or once Brault makes the rehab start, we may know a little bit more," Hurdle said. "We’ll continue to monitor our options and have those conversations. That’s where we are right now."
Around the horn
Corey Dickerson is working through left groin discomfort but should be available off the bench. The Pirates remain hopeful he could be available to start on Tuesday.
“I feel like I’m in a good place,” Dickerson said. “I feel like I’m going to come back stronger. I’m not really worried about it.”
Jose Osuna started Monday’s game in left field. It’s the first time he’s started there since July 17, 2017.
Jung Ho Kang went 0 for 10 in three weekend starts with six strikeouts. Hurdle said the Pirates are still trying to figure out how to get his bat going; Kang is hitting just .170 this season while striking out in more than a third of his at-bats.
“The bat has not shown up,” Hurdle said. “There’s been a lot of swing-and-miss. We’re having those conversations right now on what can we do, what can he do to try and salvage what may be left of the season.”
Jason Mackey: jmackey@post-gazette.com and Twitter @JMackeyPG.
First Published: July 29, 2019, 10:04 p.m.
