CHICAGO — Though it’s not believed to be serious, one of the Pirates’ top pitching prospects is headed to the injured list.
Right-hander Bubba Chandler, the Pirates’ No. 3 prospect per MLB Pipeline, was placed on the 7-day IL Sunday afternoon retroactive to May 18 with forearm tightness. Chandler, 21, exited his Friday evening start for Double-A Altoona after recording just two outs. He walked five and allowed as many runs before being pulled.
On 93.7 The Fan’s weekly radio show, assistant general manager Steve Sanders described the move to put Chandler on the IL as precautionary. His stint is not anticipated to be particularly long.
"I expect we'll be cautious with it,” Sanders said on the show.
Chandler is in his third minor-league season after the Pirates selected him No. 72 overall in 2021. A former two-way player and Clemson football commit, Chandler is in his second year as a full-time pitcher.
Though he struggled initially with High-A Greensboro last spring, Chandler excelled down the stretch and finished 2023 in Altoona. This season, he has pitched to a 5.84 ERA in eight games (seven starts) for the Curve.
Andrew Destin: adestin@post-gazette.com and @AndrewDestin1 on X
First Published: May 19, 2024, 6:17 p.m.
