BREAKING: Pittsburgh Pirates Trade Jordan Lyles To Milwaukee Brewers

The Pittsburgh Pirates have swung a trade with one of their divisional rivals

The Major League Baseball trade deadline is just 48 hours away. On Monday afternoon, the Pittsburgh Pirates made their first move of the deadline period. The team has traded starting pitcher Jordan Lyles to the Milwaukee Brewers.

After a strong start to the season Lyles has been abysmal since mid-May. In his last nine starts Lyles owns a 9.57 ERA and a 6.61 FIP in 36 2/3 innings pitched. In these 36 2/3 innings pitched he’s allowed 56 hits and 12 home runs. He failed to get out of the 1st inning in one of these starts and failed to get out of the 2nd inning in his most recent start.

Milwaukee, however, has a familiarity with Lyles as they traded for him last summer as well. Furthermore, the Brewers are currently desperate for any sort of starting pitching help.

In return for Lyles the Pirates have acquired right-handed pitching prospect Cody Ponce. Considering how poorly Lyles has pitched of late, the fact the Pirates were able to get anything for him was a surprise.

Ponce is an intriguing arm. He is a former second round pick by the Brewers and has pitched well at Double-A this season. In 27 relief appearances Ponce owns a 3.29 ERA, 2.58 FIP, 7.5% walk rate, and a 27.5% strikeout rate in 38 1/3 innings of work.

While you do not like to see a pitcher that is already 25-years-old still be at the Double-A level, Ponce still brings some intrigue. He could be a nice bullpen option for the Pirates down the road. But, again, the fact they got anything for Lyles is impressive.

Lyles was originally scheduled to start for the Pirates tonight against the Cincinnati Reds. Obviously, this will not happen now. Instead, long man Alex McRae will make the start. This will be his first MLB start. Moving forward, however, Lyles rotation spot will likely go to Mitch Keller or Steven Brault when he returns from the injured list.