Pittsburgh Pirates Announce Rotation Plans For Wednesday And Saturday

Prior to Tuesday night’s game against the Houston Astros the Pittsburgh Pirates announced their rotation plans for Wednesday and Saturday’s games

The Pittsburgh Pirates have announced a starting pitcher for Wednesday night. In a spot originally listed as the well traveled to be announced, the club has announced that righty Dario Agrazal will make the start.

This will be Agrazal’s second career MLB start. His first start came back on June 15th in Miami against the Marlins. In this start, Agrazal allowed 3 runs in 4 innings of work.

In his first start Agrazal pitched better than his final line indicated. After starting the game with 3 scoreless innings, Agrazal allowed 3 runs in the 4th inning.

This 4th inning was not completely his fault, however. A throwing error by Adam Frazier cost Agrazal an opportunity to get out of the inning after allowing just 1 run.

When it was all said an done Agrazal allowed 3 runs, 2 earned, on just six hits. He did not walk a batter and he struck out three. This included back-to-back strikeouts after the Marlins loaded the bases with just one out in the bottom of the 4th inning.

Agrazal was also lifted prematurely by Clint Hurdle. He was at just 59 pitches through 4 innings and pitching well. That, however, is a discussion for another day.

Wednesday’s start will be a much stiffer test for Agrazal. He will be pitching at the hitter friendly Minute Maid Park and facing a Houston Astros lineup that is one of the most potent in all of baseball.

In addition to announcing Agrazal as Wednesday’s starter, the Pirates have announced that the plan is for Jordan Lyles to return to the starting rotation on Saturday in Milwaukee. Lyles is currently on the 10-day injured list, but looked strong in a rehab start for Triple-A Indianapolis on Sunday. Hopefully the return of Lyles can help stabilize things in the Pirate starting rotation.