Pittsburgh Pirates Pitcher Chris Archer Undergoes Hernia Surgery

One of the Pittsburgh Pirates’ best starting pitchers underwent a minor surgical procedure on Tuesday

On Tuesday, Pittsburgh Pirates’ starting pitcher Chris Archer underwent surgery to repair a bilateral hernia. But, according to a statement from the team, Archer should be “on or close to a regular schedule” to start the 2019 season.

Recovery time form this surgery is typically six weeks. Therefore, barring any setbacks, Archer should still be ready for the start of Spring Training in February.

Archer figures to be a prominent and vital piece of the 2019 Pittsburgh Pirates. Archer, Jameson Taillon, Trevor Williams, and Joe Musgrove appear capable of giving the Pirates a starting rotation capable of competing for a postseason berth. So, having Archer healthy and ready to go at the start of the season will be vital.

After being acquired from the Tampa Bay Rays for Austin Meadows, Tyler Glasnow, and Shane Baz on the day of the July 31st trade deadline, Archer initially struggled with the Pirates. After a rough month of August, however, he finished the year with a strong month of September.

In 27 starts between the Rays and Pirates last season, Archers posted a 4.31 ERA, 3.75 FIP, and a 2.4 fWAR in 148 1/3 innings pitched. He struggled with the long ball, allowing 1.15 HR/9, but the stuff was still there as he struck out 26.4% of batters faced while walking just 7.7% of opposing batters. Since the start of the 2014 season, Archer ranks 15th in the Majors in starting pitcher fWAR (18.4) and strikeout rate (26.5%).

In 10 starts with the Pirates Archer owned a 4.30 ERA, 4.00 FIP, an 8.0% walk rate, and a 26.7% strikeout rate in 52 2/3 innings pitched. As mentioned above though, Archer was excellent in September. The veteran righty posted a 2.70 ERA, 3.49 FIP, a 7.6% walk rate, and a 30.5% strikeout rate in 30 innings pitched across five September starts.

We wish Chris Archer and speedy recovery free of any setbacks! Get well soon, Chris!