Pittsburgh Pirates: More Injuries to the Pitching Staff

The Pittsburgh Pirates have looked like one of worst teams in Major League Baseball so far in 2020.  Things might not be getting better.

It has been a tough start to the season for Derek Shelton and the Pittsburgh Pirates.  They are off to a 2-6 start and have simply look overmatched.  The team has had a tough time getting any offense going against the opposing team’s starters.  Overall, they have the worst team batting average in the league at .178.

While the offense has been one of the glaring issues early on the other has been the bullpen.  More specifically the middle relief.  The team has seen a lot of inconsistency from arms like Robbie Erlin, Michael Feliz, and Richard Rodriguez. Not to mention some really poor performances from Kyle Crick and Miguel Del Pozo.

It has not helped that breakout candidate Clay Holmes has been placed on the Injured List in the early going.  Furthermore, the team had to place Kyle Crick on the Injured List as well.  The team looks like they may have lost another bullpen arm.  Last night, Michael Feliz was in the middle of a miserable inning when Jacob Stallings called time and asked for the Pittsburgh Pirates trainer to come out.  Feliz left the game due to forearm discomfort.

This was the second time of the night that the Pittsburgh Pirates had to remove a pitcher in the middle of the inning.  Mitch Keller was battling from the first inning on but was removed after getting two outs in the third inning.  One could tell something was off with Keller, his control was very poor and his velocity remained down compared to 2019.

Keller left the game with left side discomfort.  This would explain why he was inconsistent with his command and could also be holding his velocity down some as well.  If the pain was enough for him to come out of the game then it must be pretty significant.  Hopefully, Keller can get back soon and continue to develop in the rotation.