Should the Pirates shutdown Tyler Glasnow for the rest of the season?

Pittsburgh Pirates’ prized right-handed pitching prospect Tyler Glasnow is currently dealing with a shoulder issue that makes me wonder should he be shutdown for the rest of the season?

The Major League debut of Tyler Glasnow was one Pittsburgh Pirate fans had been long anticipating. This debut came on July 7th in St. Louis against the Cardinals. However, this proved to be just a spot start.

Following his Major League debut, Tyler Glasnow was optioned back to Triple-A. Glasnow being optioned back to Triple-A had nothing to do with his performance however. It was because, due to off days and the All-Star Break, the Pirates did not need five starting pitchers again for two weeks. So, Glasnow was ‘optioned’ to Triple-A for an extra bench bat for two weeks.

Tyler Glasnow’s second career start came on July 23rd against the Philadelphia Phillies. However, this start would be cut short. Glasnow would last just three innings before being lifted due to ‘shoulder discomfort.’

The following day, the Pirates placed Tyler Glasnow on the 15-day disabled list with ‘right-shoulder discomfort.’ After a week of no throwing, Tyler Glasnow began to pitch bullpen sessions and simulated games. Then, he made a rehab start for Double-A Altoona this past Sunday.

Like his final start before going on the disabled list, Tyler Glasnow lasted just three innings in this rehab start. In those three innings he walked three batters, he allowed two hits, he gave up a home run, and he was charged with two runs. Glasnow was lifted after just three innings not due to poor performance, but due to what Altoona manager Joey Cora saw on the mound.

“We saw that he (Glasnow) was feeling uncomfortable and was doing some strange stuff with his arm,” is what Cora told reports after the game. After this start, Glasnow returned to Pittsburgh to be examined by team doctors. However, this examination must have gone well.

The reason I say it must have gone well is because the Pirates announced that Tyler Glasnow will throw a bullpen session for Altoona on Tuesday. After this bullpen session, he will be slated to make another rehab start. I can not help but wonder, however, should the Pirates shut Tyler Glasnow down for the season?

Next: Is Jung Ho Kang Back?

Tyler Glasnow is one of the most highly touted pitching prospect in all of baseball. If his shoulder is bothering him, with just six and a half weeks left in the season I would seriously consider shutting him down. Personally, I would not want to risk Glasnow’s long term health, especially with a shoulder issue, just to try and rush him back for five or six extra starts this season.

The fact that the Pittsburgh Pirates rotation of Gerrit Cole, Jameson Taillon, Chad Kuhl, Ryan Vogelsong, and Ivan Nova has settled in nicely as a strong rotation factors in here as well. Plus, if something were to happen to one of these starters the Pirates have other options. Steven Brault has made two strong starts for the Pirates, and they also have Trevor Williams at Triple-A who has done a great job for Indianapolis all season.

Even though having other options definitely factors in, the biggest reason I would shutdown Tyler Glasnow is his long term health. Shoulder issues are nothing worth messing around with when it comes to pitcher. In my opinion, there is no sense in risking things with Glasnow.

Should the Pittsburgh Pirates shut Tyler Glasnow down? In my opinion they should. Will they, however? Well, right now, no one except Neal Huntington and his brain trust knows that.