PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – Even with only two days off between Sunday and the All-Star Break, the Pirates are sending a starter to the bullpen.
The team already without starters JT Brubaker and Vince Velasquez for the season due to elbow injuries, the Bucs have decided it’s better to work with Roansy Contereas in the pen, rather than work through issues as a starting pitcher.
Cherington said he has what you are looking for in a young pitcher, just struggling right now with his fastball command. He’s allowed 12 earned runs in his last 4.1 innings and for the season has a 5.91 ERA and a 1.54 WHIP. Cherington said during his show on 93.7 The Fan and the Pirates Radio Network they still believe in the 23-year-old.
“Someone who cares, has a high work ethic,” Cherington said on 93.7 The Fan and The Pirates Radio Network. “Someone who is a great teammate and is accountable, who is athletic, has stuff, good arm, has thrown strikes historically, has multiple pitches. He checks every box.”
“He’s just gotten himself in a position where he’s not at his best form. He’s highly accountable. There is an opportunity here to use him in a different way, it allows Oscar (Marin, pitching coach) and staff to work with him on some things that we’ve been trying to work with him on as he’s started games. It’s a little harder when you know you have to get through a lineup three times.”
“We will take the gas off for a little bit and we are confident over time Roansy will respond to third. He has too many good qualities not too.”
Starting surprise
While Contreras has struggled, Johan Oviedo has picked up his game.
The 25-year-old is 3-5 on the season with a 4.16 ERA with 63 strikeouts to 33 walks in 71.1 innings. So far in June, a pair of starts, 13.1 innings with four earned runs allowed, 10 strikeouts to four walks.
“He’s doing a lot of things well,” Cherington said on 93.7 The Fan. “He’s in the zone more, he’s attacking. Even though he’s been effective overall, that first inning has been a challenge. He looked aggressive (Saturday) and got through that inning and gave us a chance to win the game.”
By far Oviedo’s worst inning is the first, allowing 15 earned runs in 13 innings. He’s allowed the most hits and walked the most in the first inning as well as allowing four of his five home runs in the first inning.
“We know the talent is there, he continues to make adjustments,” Cherington said on his show on 93.7 The Fan. “There’s more to come, we see a guy that still hasn’t done what he’s capable of. He’s eager. When he gets to the ballpark, he’s in work mode.”
Among the options for the Pirates would be calling up 2019 first-round pick Quinn Priester. The right-hander is 6-3, 4.63 ERA in 12 starts with 57 strikeouts in 56. 1 innings.