Pirates' bullpen trade deadline plans take another frustrating turn

The Pittsburgh Pirates finally got the Hunter Stratton promotion fans had been waiting for. Unfortunately, it came attached to the kind of injury news no contending team wants to hear.

Pittsburgh announced that left-hander Evan Sisk has been placed on the 15-day injured list, retroactive to July 1, because of inflammation in his throwing elbow. Stratton was recalled from Triple-A Indianapolis to take his spot on the active roster.

On one hand, Stratton deserves the call. Since being re-acquired from the Atlanta Braves in the Joey Bart trade, he has done exactly what the Pirates needed him to do in Triple-A: throw strikes, keep runs off the board and make the case that he can help a bullpen that has too often been the team’s biggest obstacle. With Pittsburgh hovering around the wild card picture despite an inconsistent relief corps, there was no real reason to keep waiting once Stratton was eligible to return.

But instead of being a simple reinforcement, Stratton's arrival now becomes a trade-off. Sisk has been one of the few stabilizing forces in the Pirates’ bullpen this season, and his 2.23 ERA over 36 1/3 innings has earned him the trust of Don Kelly.

Sisk has missed bats at a strong rate, limited walks and, perhaps most importantly, avoided the kind of hard contact that has buried so many Pirates relievers this year. The severity of his injury isn't yet known. But any elbow issue for a pitcher is worth watching closely, especially when the next step is simply waiting to see when he can resume throwing.

Evan Sisk injury, Hunter Stratton call-up bring Pirates' bullpen needs sharply into focus

The timing also complicates Pittsburgh’s trade deadline picture. The Pirates already needed bullpen help before this. Sisk’s injury only sharpens that need. Gregory Soto remains the closer, and Mason Montgomery’s underlying numbers suggest he can be better than his ERA, but this bullpen needs more than the internal optimism Ben Cherington has preached all season. It needs actual reinforcements.

Stratton can be part of that solution, and he may even force his way into a meaningful role quickly. But his arrival shouldn't be used as an excuse for the front office to stand down in their pursuit of relief help at the deadline.

The Pirates got one bullpen reinforcement in Stratton. Now they have to make sure Sisk’s absence doesn't become another reason this season slips away.

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