With a bullpen start scheduled for Wednesday’s game, Pirates pitchers Carmen Mlodzinski and Luis Ortiz may not be available for Tuesday’s matchup against the Reds. This scenario heightens the need for middle relief assistance, especially after starter Bailey Falter’s short four-inning outing in Monday’s 11-5 loss to the Reds. The Pirates had to rely heavily on their relievers, with Justin Bruihl, Santana, Daulton Jefferies, and Josh Fleming covering the remaining innings. All four relievers pitched at least 11 pitches each, with Jefferies throwing 39 over two innings.
Pirates manager Derek Shelton expressed concerns on the SportsNet Pittsburgh postgame show, stating, “When you’re going to your bullpen in the fifth and you’re having to cover multiple innings, it’s a little challenging.” Santana’s injury further complicated matters. “Then Santana gets hit, which takes him out of covering. He could have covered another inning, maybe two, depending on how efficient he was. That was a situation where we had to go even deeper into the ‘pen.”
Santana, who joined the Pirates from the Yankees on June 11, allowed six runs on six hits and two walks with two strikeouts in 3 1/3 innings over four appearances. In Monday’s game, Santana replaced Bruihl in the fifth inning but was hit in the throwing arm by a line drive from Tyler Stephenson. Although he managed to complete the inning, he was removed after experiencing stiffness.
“We went out to check on him and he said he was OK but then he came in and he stiffened up,” Shelton explained. “He said on the last pitch he couldn’t get much extension. … He’s going to be pretty swollen because he got hit pretty flush.”
With David Bednar (right oblique strain) unavailable until July 5 and Borucki and Stratton weeks away from returning, the Pirates might need to adjust their roster to strengthen the bullpen. The likely move would involve recalling Ryder Ryan, who has been up and down from Triple-A Indianapolis four times this season. Ryan has a 3.46 ERA and a 1.23 WHIP in 13 innings over 11 appearances for the Pirates this season.
Another option is 24-year-old right-hander Braxton Ashcraft, who has recently been promoted to Triple-A Indianapolis. Pirates GM Ben Cherington mentioned that Ashcraft is progressing well but is being developed as a starting pitcher.
The Pirates’ bullpen usage might also change, with Aroldis Chapman and Colin Holderman expected to take on high-leverage innings. Rookie Kyle Nicolas, who has completed 14 games this season and has shown he can handle multiple innings, may also play a significant role. “With David being down, everybody’s got to slide into different spots,” Shelton said. “We have to cover innings. Those guys are going to have to kind of step up into different roles. Everybody is going to have to step up into different roles.”
