Pittsburgh Pirates Activate Chris Archer From The Injured List

The Pittsburgh Pirates starting rotation will receive a boost this afternoon

A beaten up Pittsburgh Pirates starting rotation is getting some help. After being placed on the 10-day injured list with thumb inflammation back on April 27th, Chris Archer is set to return. Archer will make his first start since April 26th against the Arizona Diamondbacks this afternoon.

Prior to this afternoon’s 3:40 first pitch Archer needed to be activated off the IL and the Pirates have done that. In order to make room for him on the 25-man roster, right-handed reliever Clay Holmes has been optioned to Triple-A Indianapolis.

Prior to going on the IL Archer owned a 4.33 ERA, a 4.82 FIP, and 25.7% strikeout rate in 27 innings pitched in 5 starts. However, pitching through his thumb inflammation led to a poor start against the Dodgers his last time out which diluted these numbers.

In his first four starts Archer owned a 2.74 ERA, 3.85 FIP, and a 28.0% strikeout rate. Also, two of the five home runs he has allowed this season came in that start against the Dodgers.

Getting Archer back in the fold will be a big boost to the Pirate rotation. It will bump at one of Steven Brault or Nick Kingham, neither of which should be on a MLB roster, out of the starting rotation.

Furthermore, there is now a lot of pressure on Archer. With Jameson Taillon sidelined until at least July, Archer needs to anchor this starting rotation. He needs to pitch like the ace he can be and has been in Tampa Bay. It is time for Archer to show why the Pirates paid such a hefty price to acquire him from the Rays last summer.

First pitch from Chase Field is scheduled for 3:40 this afternoon. Archer will be opposed by former Cy Young Award winner Zack Greinke (3.16 ERA, 3.36 FIP). The Pirates will be looking for their second consecutive series victory.