With a pared down roster, the Pirates’ struggles continued last night, despite the efforts of a rookie who started the week playing for Altoona.
Joe Block has the story.
Tonight’s Brewers/Pirates series finale airs at 6:40 on WCCS. Chad Kuhl [3-5, 4.38 ERA] starts for the Pirates against Freddy Peralta [7-3, 2.29 ERA] for the Brewers.
Pirates manager Derek Shelton says he has never seen anything like the start that Rodolfo Castro has had in the majors (no one else has, either, because it’s never been done).
Manager Derek Shelton says the Pirates have been excited about Castro for a long time.
Already with a shorthanded rotation, the Pirates announced that starters Chase De Jong and Trevor Cahill have significant long-term injuries. De Jong had surgery for damaged cartilage in his left knee and will be out five months. Cahill, who has been on the injured list for a strained calf since May, slipped and fell down the steps last Friday in San Francisco, fracturing his foot. He will see a foot and ankle specialist today to determine his treatment options.
Director of sports medicine Todd Tomczyk says Steven Brault could rejoin the team soon. After pitching four perfect innings for Indianapolis in a rehab start last Friday and then a side session on Tuesday, Brault will make another rehab start for Indy and could come to Pittsburgh soon after.
Among the other injured Pirates, Colin Moran and Erik Gonzalez could begin rehab assignments soon, and pitcher Sam Howard is throwing, but not off a mound.
Three star minor league prospects are making progress. Miguel Yajure is throwing live batting practice, and Roansy Contreras and Carmen Mlodzinski are both throwing, with Mlodzinski expected to get back to game action soon.
With the MLB trade deadline tomorrow at 4 PM, some big deals were made yesterday, including former Pirate Starling Marte landing in Oakland after a trade by the Marlins. Marte is hitting .302 with 22 stolen bases this season.
The Yankees are getting Texas slugger Joey Gallo for four prospects.
