PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – The Pirates are getting closer and closer to what the Opening Day roster looked like as utility infielder/outfielder Phillip Evans activated off the injured list before the game with the Los Angeles Dodgers Tuesday night.
Manager Derek Shelton also announced starting pitcher Mitch Keller will come off the injured list, dealing with COVID-19, and make his scheduled start on Thursday.
"It's nice," Shelton said. "Anytime you add guys back that were a part of the regular group. It's important because of the fact that we lost Ke'Bryan Hayes after Opening Day. We have never been with that group that we thought we would have. The fact that we are getting closer to it makes you feel more comfortable with everything that going on."
Evans injured his hamstring during a game on May 12 and started rehab on Sunday. The right-handed hitter was 6 for 13 with AAA Indianapolis with a pair of doubles. Before his injury, Evans was hitting .216 with the Pirates with 3 doubles, 4 home runs and 8 RBI.
Keller lasted only two innings in his last previous start on June 4 due to illness. Overall, Keller is 3-6 on the season, with a 6.65 ERA, 48 strikeouts to 26 walks.
