Quinn Priester, Pirates righty
Quinn Priester was who the Pirates recalled when Marco Gonzales first got injured. In four starts with the Pirates, Priester has a 0-3 record with an earned run average of 3.86 in 21 innings pitched and has struck out 12 batters. He also has a WHIP of 1.43 and a FIP of 6.87. Priester has improved from last year, but he is allowing too many home runs. His home runs per nine innings is at a 2.57 rate which is not ideal. He also has two minor league options, so the Pirates might want to use them until Priester is completely ready.
Roansy Contreras, Pirates righty
Roansy Contreras is a pitcher who has struggled for the past two seasons. Last year, Contreras had a drop in velocity, which many fans believed to be the route to his struggles. This season, he is throwing just as hard as he did when he pitched well, but is still not very effective. Through 11 appearances, Contreras has a 1-0 record with an earned run average of 4.70 in 15.1 innings pitched and has struck out 16 batters. He also has a WHIP of 1.76 and a FIP of 5.18. His control has not been good this season as he has walks per nine innings of 4.70.
Contreras is out of options, which is one of the reasons that the Pirates decided to throw him in the bullpen. He has a ton of talent, but he has not been productive for the Pirates. Since he is out of options, the Pirates would have to designate him for assignment to open up a spot on the active roster. If no teams decide to take him, then he could return to the Pirates triple-a affiliate.
Bailey Falter, Pirates lefty
Bailey Falter is in the same situation as Roansy Contreras. He does not have any minor league options remaining which requires him to be designated for assignment to get off the active roster. This season, Falter has had multiple good and bad starts. Through seven starts, Falter has a 2-2 record with an earned run average of 4.34 in 37.1 innings pitched and struck out 26 batters. He also has a WHIP of 1.02 and a FIP of 4.93. He has looked solid this season, but some of his success appears to not be sustainable. He has an expected earned run average of 5.15 and an expected opponent batting average of .279.
One of these three pitchers could find themselves off of the Pirates roster in the coming days. Paul Skenes is coming and it is for certain. Keep an eye out for who Skenes replaces on the Pirates active roster.