Pirates Kyle McPherson: “I Will Be Ready”

The Pittsburgh Pirates will be counting on right handed pitcher Kyle McPherson in 2013.    McPherson pitched so well in his final start against the Reds going six scoreless, we were certain any arm troubles were behind him.   So when Rob Biertempfel tweeted the two scary words shoulder pain, we thought the worst and reached out to McPherson.

He told us it was a strain to his shoulder and he is currently going through a rehab on it, but he assured us he will be ready for spring training.

A setback during spring training had limited McPherson to start the 2012 season.

But when he returned to the system, he quickly blew his way through the ranks and was called up during the end of the season.  After he shut down the Reds in only his third big league start, the excitement level was high to end the season.

Clint Hurdle practically glowed about the rookie.

"He went through a Central Division Champions lineup. (McPherson) has what we’re looking for…."

The Pirates were looking to get some more innings for their young pitcher when they got him on a team in the Dominican Winter League.  McPherson made his first start during the middle of October.

It wasn’t pretty.

The big right hander was credited with giving up six runs over three innings.   It stood out as an anti-McFear outing.

He allowed six hits, a walk and struckout three batters. The worst of it was in the fourth inning when seven runs scored. Five of those runs were strapped to McFear as he gave up a leadoff double and then a two-run bomb.

The team committed an error behind McPherson, and then he gave up a single and the walk left the bases loaded.  It was curtains for the 24-year old pitcher.

We hadn’t heard about the injury, but shame on us for not asking earlier.