With the Pittsburgh Pirates’ playoff hopes fading, they are hoping to get their ace Paul Skenes right again.
The Pirates announced late Saturday night that Skenes’ scheduled start on Sunday — when Pittsburgh hosts the Boston Red Sox in the decisive contest of a three-game series — would be pushed back to Wednesday.
The Pirates will now start righty Lake Bachar (1-2, 3.97 ERA) in what will be a bullpen game. Bachar will oppose left-hander Patrick Sandoval (1-1, 3.30), who will try to bounce back after a 5-3 loss to Toronto this past Tuesday.
Pittsburgh is hoping it’s not too late for Skenes to recover his form from his National League Cy Young season a year ago, and still make the postseason.
Skenes has experienced a drop in velocity recently and lasted only five innings and 65 pitches in his most recent outing at Miami. He has a 5.00 ERA over his past 16 starts (84 2/3 innings). His four-seam fastball’s average velocity has dropped to 96.8 mph after averaging 98.2 last season and 98.8 as a rookie, per MLB’s Statcast.
“Anybody this time of year is … not injured, but guys in August aren’t 100%,” Pirates manager Don Kelly said after Skenes’ most recent outing. “It wasn’t injury-related that he came out. Just thought it gave us the best chance to win there.”
Bachar, who was recently acquired in a trade with the Marlins, has made three relief appearances so far since joining the Pirates. He has allowed four runs — including three home runs — in just seven innings.
Bachar has not started a game since June 19, and opened four games for the Marlins this season. He has made only one career appearance against Boston, pitching a scoreless inning.
While the Pirates hope their ace recovers, the Red Sox hope they don’t lose another key starter before reinforcements return.
Masataka Yoshida left Saturday’s 4-0 win over the Pirates in the third inning with left hamstring tightness. The injury occurred when Yoshida was running in his bid for a double.
An extended absence would be unfortunate considering Boston could have multiple starters on the verge of returning.
Roman Anthony and Trevor Story both are about to start rehab assignments. Story will play on Sunday afternoon at Triple-A Worcester, which will be his first action since May 14 when he landed on the injured list with a sports hernia.
Anthony is set to begin his rehab assignment at Double-A Portland on Tuesday. Anthony has been out since May 4 when he suffered a partial tear of a tendon connected to his right ring finger.
Isiah Kiner-Falefa (left forearm) also will begin a rehab assignment on Wednesday.
“Obviously, we’ve still got to get ‘em through the rehab outings,” Boston interim manager Chad Tracy said. “It’s a combination of, physically getting them right, feeling good, and also accumulating some at-bats. So there’s still work to be done, but having three of those guys going out and getting healthy is exciting for sure.”
Sandoval has made one career start against Pittsburgh, pitching seven scoreless innings and allowing three hits. In his most recent start, Sandoval gave up four runs (two earned) on eight hits and three walks and struck out four in six innings.
–Field Level Media
