After having Memorial Day off, the Pirates embark on a five-game road trip featuring two interleague series. The first kicks off tonight when they open a brief two-game stint with the Detroit Tigers.
Rookie Jared Jones starts for the Pirates. He’s 3-4 with a 3.05 ERA and 68 strikeouts through 59 innings pitched. Opposing him will be lefty Tarik Skubal, who is 6-1 with a 2.25 ERA and 72 strikeouts through 60 innings for the Tigers. You’ll hear tonight’s game starting at 6:15 on WCCS, with first pitch scheduled for 6:40.
Catcher Jason Delay had his rehab assignment transferred to Triple-A Indianapolis yesterday and he went 1-for-3 with a walk and three RBI. He has been out since early April with right knee soreness.
With a beaten-up roster, the Pirates could catch a break thanks to their schedule. They had yesterday off and will have another off day this Thursday after wrapping up their series in Detroit, then they will have Monday off after a weekend series in Toronto.
Among notable injuries are pitcher Martin Perez and catcher Joey Bart, both of whom were injured during Sunday’s game at PNC Park; and third baseman Ke’Bryan Hayes, who continues to rehab a back injury but is expected to return to action this week.
MLB
Reigning National League MVP Ronald Acuna Jr. will undergo season-ending surgery after tearing the ACL in his left knee against the Pirates on Sunday. He tore his right ACL in 2021.
Bob Nightengale of USA Today announced last night that controversial umpire Angel Hernandez will retire today. Hernandez has a controversial past, suing the league for racial discrimination in 2017 after he claimed they did not give him World Series opportunities and a crew chief position because of his ethnicity. Hernandez’s lawyer Kevin Murphy said he was not forced to retire and both sides mutually agreed to it.
