REPORT: Pittsburgh Pirates Set to Promote Roansy Contreras, Yerry De Los Santos

Apr 14, 2022; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Roansy Contreras (59) reacts after striking out a batter to end the eighth inning against the Washington Nationals at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Philip G. Pavely-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 14, 2022; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Roansy Contreras (59) reacts after striking out a batter to end the eighth inning against the Washington Nationals at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Philip G. Pavely-USA TODAY Sports

According to Héctor Gómez the Pittsburgh Pirates are set to promote top pitching prospects Roansy Contreras, and it appears this is not the only pitching promotion that is coming

The Pittsburgh Pirates are in dire need of pitching help. Their pitching staff, especially the starting rotation, has been one of the worst in baseball this season. It appears that help is finally on the way.

According to Héctor Gómez the Pittsburgh Pirates intend to promote top pitching prospect Roansy Contreras to the major leagues. This would be the second MBL stint this season for Contreras who pitched out of the Pirate bullpen earlier this season.

This time around it would appear to be a safe bet that Contreras will enter the Pirate starting rotation. This should be the beginning of Contreras anchoring the Pirate starting rotation for a long time.

In 5 starts at Triple-A Indianapolis this season Contreras owns a 2.66 ERA, 4.64 FIP, 13.3% walk rate and a 28.9% strikeout rate in 20.1 innings pitched. Contreras allowed 3 home runs in those 20.1 innings pitched.

Prior to being sent back to the minors Contreras made 3 appearances out of the Pirate bullpen this season, pitching 7.2 innings. In these 7.2 innings pitched Contreras walked 3 batters and struck out 10 while posting a 3.52 ERA.

Gómez is also reporting that the Pirates are set to promote reliever Yerry De Los Santos as well.

De Los Santos has been borderline dominant for Triple-A Indy this season. In 15.2 innings pitched he has posted a 1.72 ERA and a 2.12 FIP. De Los Santos has allowed just 1 home run this season, while walking 2 and striking out 20.

Adding De Los Santos will also require a 40-man roster move. The two most logical roster moves to make room for Contreras and De Los Santos would appear to be optioning Bryse Wilson to Triple-A while designating struggling veteran Heath Hembree for assignment. Designating one of Tyler Beede or Chase De Jong for assignment could be options as well.

Regardless of the roster moves that are made to make room for Contreras and De Los Santos it is great to see the Pirates finally promote these two pitchers. Both of these pitchers should have been on the major league roster already, and they will mark the starting rotation and bullpen better. Additionally, both should be big parts of the long-term future of the Pirates, and just having that to watch will make the Pirates more exciting moving forward.

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