Pittsburgh Pirates: Team Promotes Eric Stout, Options Roansy Contreras

The Pittsburgh Pirates have optioned right-handed starting pitcher Roansy Contreras and recalled left-handed reliever Eric Stout.

The Pittsburgh Pirates made somewhat of a shocking, but understandable move after the first game of Thursday’s double header. They optioned talented starting pitcher Roansy Contreras and in turn have recalled left-handed reliever Eric Stout from Triple-A to take his roster spot. The Pirates will almost certaintly recall Contreras after the all-star break.

Now don’t overthink Contreras’ optioning too much. Contreras may have made just one more start before going into the all-star break. That one more start wasn’t going to make much of an impact on the season, and now the Pirates free-up a roster spot by optioning Contreras.

Contreras is coming off arguably the best game of his young professional career yet. In six innings, he struck out seven Reds’ batters, allowed just one to reach via free pass, and allowed one earned run on a home run. It was the most innings he had thrown in a start so far with the second most strikeouts. The only outing that could possibly top this one was his 5.2 inning outing on June 4th when he allowed no earned runs (one unearned) with 8 K’s and two base-on-balls.

Contreras’ roster spot will go to left-hander Eric Stout. Stout was acquired by the Pirates from the Chicago Cubs on June 16th in exchange for cash. Stout’s 3.63 ERA at the Triple-A level is decieving. He has a 34% K-rate, but has also given up walks at an insanely high 18.3% rate. It might be the best K-rate of his career, but it’s also the worst walk rate of his career. Though the Pirates likely aren’t asking Stout to come in during close, high-leverage situations. He’ll likely serve a low-leverage role.

Teams do this all the time, expect instead of putting Contreras on the injured list with a phantom injury, the Pirates outright taking him off the 26-man roster for now. As soon as the All-Star break is over, Contreras will be back in the majors. You also get the added benefit of starting off the second half of 2022 on the right foot with Roansy Contreras leading things off. He’ll likely take on the Miami Marlins at PNC Park on July 22nd, the first game after the break. Right now, it gives them a reliever in the majors that might make an appearance as a low-leverage guy.