Joe Musgrove Dominates in Latest Rehab Start and Other Notes

A look at some news and notes in the world of the Pittsburgh Pirates

When the Pittsburgh Pirates traded Gerrit Cole to the Houston Astros in January, right-handed pitcher Joe Musgrove was arguably the key piece in the return coming to Pittsburgh. Due to shoulder discomfort and a muscle strain, Musgrove has yet to pitch in a regular season game for the Pirates. However, he is getting close.

If not for these injuries, Musgrove would have started the season in the Pirate rotation. Instead, he started on the disabled list and is now rehabbing his way back to Pittsburgh. The latest step in his rehab came on Tuesday night for the Double-A Altoona Curve, and Musgrove dominated for the Curve.

Musgrove needed just 34 pitches to work his way through 4 innings on Tuesday night. Musgrove allowed a run on a solo home run, a single, and 4 strikeouts on Tuesday night. He did not walk a batter, and threw the final 31 pitches he was scheduled to throw in the bullpen after exiting the game.

While Musgrove is getting closer to returning, the Pirates would like him to make at least two more rehab starts before potentially joining the starting rotation.

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Speaking of the starting rotation, Nick Kingham was optioned to Triple-A on Monday despite two excellent starts to begin his Major League career. INF/OF Jose Osuna was promoted to replace Kingham, and it would not be a surprise to see Osuna serve as the team’s designated hitter against the Chicago White Sox the next two days. Hopefully, the promotion of Osuna ends the Pirates experimenting with just a four-man bench.

Due to off days, the Pirates will not need a fifth starting pitcher again until at least May 19th. This is why Kingham was optioned to Triple-A. Odds are, when the team needs a fifth starter again Kingham will return to the rotation.

So, if Kingham keeps pitching well, what gives when Musgrove is healthy? Well, the pitcher to watch then could be Chad Kuhl. Despite throwing 7 shutout innings against the Brewers on Sunday, Kuhl has been the team’s worst starting pitcher this season owning a 4.71 FIP in seven starts.

If Kuhl continues to struggle, it would not be a shocker to see Kingham and Musgrove both in the rotation with Kuhl back at Triple-A. However, these situations tend to work themselves out and this situation has at least two weeks to work itself out.