The Pirates have shut lefty Steven Brault down for the next month or so due to a “moderate arm muscle strain,” director of sports medicine Todd Tomczyk tells reporters (Twitter links via Rob Biertempfel of The Athletic and Jason Mackey of the Post-Gazette). Because of the fairly lengthy shutdown, Brault will need to be built back up before returning to a game setting. His total absence could stretch anywhere from 10 to 12 weeks in length.
Brault exited his most recent Grapefruit League start with tightness, which the club eventually revealed to be a lat strain. The team’s update today did not specify the grade of the strain, but a fairly lengthy absence for Brault nevertheless alters the team’s rotation outlook substantially. After trading away Joe Musgrove and Jameson Taillon this winter, Brault was the team’s most experienced incumbent option on the starting staff.
Holdovers Chad Kuhl and Mitch Keller are virtual locks for the Pittsburgh rotation, as are offseason signees Trevor Cahill and Tyler Anderson, both of whom signed guaranteed Major League deals for the 2021 season. Other candidates to take the ball early in the year include righties Wil Crowe and JT Brubaker. Crowe, acquired from the Nats in the offseason trade of Josh Bell, has thrown quite well so far in Spring Training. Through 9 2/3 innings, he’s held opponents to one run on seven hits and three walks with seven punchouts.
Brault’s timeline for a return will be particularly worth monitoring given his status as an obvious summer trade candidate. The 28-year-old (29 in April) drew interest over the winter and, as a player who is controlled for just two years beyond the current campaign, is a logical trade chip for a rebuilding club like Pittsburgh. Because he’s controlled through 2023, there’s no real urgency to move him this summer — particularly if he doesn’t have much time demonstrate his health prior to the July 31 trade deadline.
Bummer for Brault because he seems to be a good guy and has been improving the last couple of seasons. Was looking for him to take another step forward this season. All may not be lost if it is just the lat strain. For the team, makes no real difference in the season other than it gives 2-3 months to have looks at another player who otherwise would have not made the opening roster. Not a bad thing for a team in a complete rebuild.
Steven Brault Shut Down For A Month or Harrison Bader Out At Least Four Weeks. There’s no difference in time so no reason for different titles.
Only in February, 3 out of 4 years.
There goes the Pirates “ace”, I didnt know it was even possible for them to be worse than they already are
The Pirates will lose 100 games with or without Steven Brault who is also one of their best hitters.
They will not be the worst team that I have seen though.
The Astros of ten years ago in that time period were very,very bad.
But the worst team-the 1962 Mets.The record of 40-120 included their best pitcher who lost over 20 games because everyone else was so awful.
Good gracious, their ace, the true backbone of their team, gone…
The new ace is… uh… Tyler Anderson? Trevor Cahill? Chad Kuhl?
Chase De Jong?
I mean Keller is supposed to be but the spring stats are…yikes
By my untrained eye, Keller’s fastball looks pretty flat. If he can hone his command of his offspeed pitches to get ahead in counts or figure out a way to get more break on his heater either vertically or horizontally then he should be fine. Otherwise opposing batters are just gonna lay off his breaking balls and hunt the fastball pretty successfully.
Tough break for Steven, but there should be zero rush to return, as this now opens up a rotation spot for a guy like Brubaker or Crowe to establish himself. And this year for the Pirates should be all about giving young guys opportunities to establish themselves.
Which is also part of why I didn’t get the Anderson/Cahill signings. If you’re not gonna get guys who could have real value at the deadline, give the young guys a shot.
Anderson and Cahill are classic low cost hope they have a good first half and flip at the deadline if possible candidates. There’s still plenty of opportunities in the Pirates pitching staff even with the two of them on the roster. I’m guessing there will be a nearly constant shuttle of pitchers going from AAA to Pittsburgh this year given that most of the staff are guys looking for a shot to establish themselves and/or break into the big leagues and most have options remaining.
They can have trade value. Goal is to hold onto service time. After injuries and trades crowe Jong Ponce Yajure Contreras will all be up at some point.
Big blow for the Chris Rose rotation
De Jong’s numbers look pretty good, he might be the 5th starter.
at least Steve can still sing the national anthem at home games……
Am I suffering from recency bias, or are injuries really up? Does anyone know where to find this out?
Better yet, has anyone checked on it who will let me copy their homework?
These days the question is who won’t let you copy their homework.
I’m not picky.
But unfortunately I’m also in need of the answer here…
“situational ethics” are for academics & intellectuals. The rest of us call it, “just getting by, bro”.
Up 7.36 percent.
My man.
Not overly dreamy but I appreciate the work. Unless you just made it up. Still…sounds good.
this cuts into pirates profit margin
A significant blow…Pirates might now be out of contention in NL Central now….
Pirates have plenty of depth. Get him taken care of properly. He isn’t in the future plans and nobody wanted to trade for him.
Headline – shut down for a month
Body of article – could be out for 10-12 weeks