Pirates' corresponding move for Chase Shugart injury veers in surprising direction

The Pirates are making an odd roster shuffle before game two against Kansas City by sending Chase Shugart to the injured list with left knee inflammation. To correspond, Jack Suwinski will join the big league roster, leaving the Pirates bullpen short an arm and adding their sixth outfielder to the team.

Shugart had been a dependable reliever this season and adds onto the long list of injured pitchers this season. Pittsburgh is already down Justin Lawrence, Ryan Borucki, Tim Mayza, Johan Oviedo, Jared Jones, Colin Holderman, and Dauri Moreta.

Shugart was mainly used in a low-leverage role out of the Pirates' bullpen, so his innings can be easily replaced. Nonetheless, he'd really found a groove recently, posting a 3.69 ERA with a 1.15 WHIP across 39 innings. Hopefully this is not a serious injury and he can return soon. The Pirates will continue the series with just seven relievers in the bullpen now; hopefully, Moreta will finally make his return in the coming. Holderman just ended his rehab, too, but he belongs in Triple-A.

Pirates place Chase Shugart on the injured list and recall Jack Suwinski.

Suwinski was very deserving of a promotion, as he was dominating pitching in Triple-A. His ongoing surge in the minor leagues is starting to earn him the label of "Quad-A player," and he'll need to alter that in this new stint in the big leagues. There is reason to believe, though, that this exceptional stint is different from previous stretches following a demotion.

When he was demoted for his struggles in 2024, he struggled, posting a 90 wRC+ with a 29.2% strikeout rate and a .751 OPS. Once he was sent down following similar struggles in 2025, he got hot at the plate and has been on fire recently, carrying a 143 wRC+ with 12 home runs and a .926 OPS. His strikeout rate still is worrisome at 28.9%, but honestly, that can be disregarded if his power can return to this lineup. Pittsburgh lacks power badly, and Suwinski could turn that around after catching a groove in Triple-A.

While this promotion was deserved, it comes at an odd time. Alexander Canario barely plays as is, so why is he even still on the roster? Oneil Cruz and Bryan Reynolds are in the lineup daily as is, along with Tommy Pham finally heating up. It will be tough to sneak Suwinski in the lineup with the crowded group on the roster.

This roster shuffle was a bit interesting, leaving the pitching staff short and the outfield even more crowded. A bullpen move will likely happen ahead of the series against the Twins, and that may lead to a Canario DFA for an arm off the 40-man, given the way things are shaping up.