As the season nears an end for the Pittsburgh Pirates the team is currently dealing with plenty of injuries causing a roster shakeup
Right-handed pitcher David Bednar was placed on the 10-day injured list with a right oblique strain, retroactive to September 11th. Bednar has been the best Pirate reliever of 2021 and has split the closer role with Chris Stratton over the last month. An oblique strain will probably take longer to heal than just 10 days, just ask Henry Davis. But depending on the severity of it Ednar’s 2021 season could be over.
On Monday, the Pittsburgh Pirates claimed righty reliever Enyel De Los Santos off waivers from the Phillies, a move that is already helping. De Los Santos is taking over for Bednar in the bullpen immediately and probably will for the remainder of the season. DE Los Santos has a 6.75 ERA on the season and is 1-1 with 42 strikeouts over 28 innings of work. Hopefully the 28-year old can put on a show for however long he is in the majors and be a contributor to the Pirates bullpen in the future.
Lefty Steven Brault was moved from the 10-day IL to the 60-day IL on Monday because of his left lat strain. Pittsburgh pitchers have been dropping like flies lately, Duane Underwood is out for the season with a shoulder injury, David Bednar with his oblique issue, and now Steven Brault, who was just over a month from his return off the IL.
On some non-pitching news, one of Pittsburgh’s catching prospects has been batting very well recently and might be deserving of a promotion. Endy Rodriguez is batting .326 so far through September with 3 home runs and 11 RBI. The 21-year old catcher was the Low-A Southeast player of the week because of his .387 average and 1.135 OPS. His bat has progressed over the season and the duo of him and the aforementioned Davis will be great for years to come.
Righty JT Brubaker is expected to be out until September 23rd with a shoulder injury. Brubaker’s right shoulder inflammation will have him temporarily shut down, but is eligible to come off the IL tomorrow.
Reliever Connor Overton made his Pirate debut on Sunday against the Washington Nationals. Overton threw 1 inning and struck out 1 after getting claimed off of waivers from Toronto on the 6th. Nothing much is expected of Overton, but if he turns into something good then that will be an amazing waiver pick-up.