2:40pm: The Pirates have made it official, reinstating Gonzales and designating Honeywell for assignment. They also reinstated closer David Bednar from the IL and optioned right-hander Ryder Ryan.
2:15pm: Left-hander Marco Gonzales is going to start today’s game for the Pirates, with Noah Hiles of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette among those to relay the news on X. He’s currently on the 60-day injured list and will therefore need to be reinstated to the 40-man roster, but it was reported earlier that righty Brent Honeywell Jr. is to be designated for assignment. Unless there are other moves involved, it seems it will be a simple swap of Gonzales taking Honeywell’s spot.
Gonzales, 32, was acquired from Atlanta in the offseason and started the season in Pittsburgh’s rotation. He made three starts with a 2.65 earned run average before landing on the injured list in mid-April with a forearm strain. He now returns after missing roughly three months of the season.
The lefty has generally been a solid but not overwhelming starter over his career. In 910 career innings, he has a 4.10 ERA but with a subpar strikeout rate of 17.6%. At his best, he limits damage even if he doesn’t miss bats. In 2019, he logged over 200 innings with Seattle with a 3.99 ERA. He only punched out 17% of opponents but Statcast considered his barrel rate to be in the 87th percentile of qualified pitchers.
The Bucs could have some decisions to make about how they shape their rotation for the rest of the year. Gonzales and Martín Pérez were brought aboard in the winter to ideally serve as veteran anchors in a somewhat inexperienced group but neither has been able to achieve that so far. As mentioned, Gonzales took the ball just four times before a lengthy IL stint while Pérez also missed some time due to injury and has 14 starts with an ERA of 5.15.
In the long term, Pittsburgh seems to be well set up in the rotation with a core three of Paul Skenes, Jared Jones and Mitch Keller. Skenes has debuted this year and dominated with a 1.90 ERA through 11 starts, getting named the National League starter for the All-Star game. Jones hasn’t been quite that dominant but a 3.56 ERA through 16 starts is still quite an achievement for a rookie. Keller is in his sixth season and has a 3.40 ERA and is signed through 2028.
Jones is currently on the injured list and won’t be available for a few weeks, but the Bucs have Gonzales, Pérez, Skenes and Keller, as well as Quinn Priester and Luis Ortiz. The 23-year-old Priester isn’t generating as much hype as Skenes or Jones but he has a 4.30 ERA for the Bucs this year. The 25-year-old Ortiz started the year in the bullpen has pitched so well that he’s carved out a starting gig for himself. He has a 2.95 ERA on the year with five of his last six outings being four innings or longer. Two of his last three appearances have been six-inning starts with only one earned run allowed total over those two starts.
That gives Pittsburgh six possible starters for now and seven when Jones comes back. Bailey Falter is also on the IL with left triceps tendinitis, though it’s unclear when he’ll be back. He was also having a good season before the IL stint, with a 4.08 ERA in 17 starts.
The Bucs are currently 45-48 on the year. Despite that fairly unimpressive record, they are only 2.5 games out of a playoff spot in a relatively weak National League Wild Card race and will have to figure out how to juggle these different rotation choices. Priester has options and may end up in the minors in spite of his decent results. Ortiz could end up back in the bullpen and Pérez also has some relief work on his résumé.
With all those starting options, it’s possible the Bucs look to make someone available even if they’re not truly selling at the deadline. For example, the Rays recently welcome Shane Baz back from his Tommy John layoff and were able to trade Aaron Civale to the Brewers without significantly downgrading their rotation, getting a prospect back in return. Many teams are looking for pitching but there are few clearcut sellers, so perhaps there would be interest in a veteran like Pérez or Gonzales, allowing the Bucs to use their pile of starters to add a position player or a reliever without truly harming their chances in 2024.
Whether a trade comes together or not, the Pittsburgh rotation seems to have a lot of long-term potential between Skenes, Jones, Keller, Priester, Falter and Ortiz, as well as prospects such as Braxton Ashcraft. There’s also Johan Oviedo, who will miss this season due to Tommy John surgery but should be back next year. Everyone in that group is controlled through 2027 or longer.
Braves legend.
I get it – let reliever go for starters however isn’t Ryder Ryan available for release? Honeywell hasn’t been dominating but he’s been better than Ryan. Ah well maybe more moves coming.
I really didn’t double hit post.
For what it’s worth… I believe you!
You represent a great hitter and a fine guy to boot.
Skenes is a joke. But as a Mariner fan, I think they should trade for him anyway. We could send them a player to be named later and cash considerations.
While I think that you’re the real joke
Honeywell was barely even on the team
They like Ryan for some reason.
2 foot movement sinker is the reason.
Priester’s outing in game 1 of the Milwaukee series was the best I’d ever seen from him. Ortiz continues to impress. From all accounts, Falter will be fine
Why this guy and Perez will get starts all comes down to justifications for signing them in the first place. Both should be on a train out of town in the near future
And by all means, allow Ashcraft and Bubba continue to mature on the farm
With Marco and Bednar back, the pitching staff has been solidified, do something constructive about the lackluster offense
If Cherington believes they can be serious contenders, pitching only won’t be enough
They need them until Falter Jones comes back. As is they have little trade value. A good start or 2 will change that. If healthy and good and Falter or Jones is healthy trade them. If not they are depth that could get back on track. Someone can go to the pen. Perez Ortiz already have experience there.
Falter has already pitched as many innings this year as last year. His admittance of being exhausted before going on the IL might be a red flag
And Ryan’s 2 foot movement sinker seems to get hit often
You never know when pitchers will be injured so maybe getting rid of one is fine but I’d keep one on hand because you can be short on pitching in a hurry.
@tired, you know what they say… you don’t want too much pitching depth.
Gonzalez has pitched well and deserves to stay.
Perez has been up and down too much and is making too much money so they should dump him,but that may be hard to do.
If your guy Ortiz stays in the rotation when Jones comes back they will have the big three and these two.
People do not realize that Falter should be on an innings limit too.If he comes back they can go with a rotation of six pitchers.
Priester would be the odd man out unless they keep him as the long man.
Shelton leaves his starters in way too long sometimes to “save” the bullpen.
Who of us thought last off-season that they would have this “problem” this year!
Bubba is not doing as well as Harrington.I would not trade any of the top young pitchers unless they get quality MLers in return.
I never thought I’d see the day where the Pirates had this much starting pitching depth. The article didn’t even include Bubba Chandler or Thomas Harrington and the Pirates are already at 8 really good starting pitching options for next season without signing any free agents. It’s quite impressive.
We don’t know what’s going on behind the scenes, but if Falter and Jones don’t appear to be out long-term I do like the idea of using one of the veterans as trade bait. Hope Gonzales and Perez pitch well out of the break and try to make a strength for strength trade with another contender.
Either way the Pirates need to add some offense, but honestly they just need players to return to form. Suwinski and Hayes returning to form would be huge for the offense. In regard to outside help I like the idea of adding someone like Jesse Winker to be the strong-side platoon in RF to partner with Joe, Taylor, Gorski, etc. and maybe add one more secondary bat (I really wish they’d give Gorski a shot).
I agree, I think they can improve just by players returning closer to their 2023 form, but I don’t think Gorski is the answer. His whiff rate at Triple-A is almost as high as Joey Gallo’s career whiff%. He’s also only batting .224/.290/.439 since the start of June while striking out over a third of the time. Idk how confident I’d feel about someone who swings and misses as much as Gallo, but at Triple-A to take over a Major League roster spot. Granted, MAT had a worse BA/OBP/SLG% from May until his 4-hit game than Francisco Liriano did during his time with the Pirates, so the bar is pretty low.
Thinking they can return to form doesn’t make it so.
Jack and Hayes might not strike out as often as Gorski but they still strike out often
Same thing with Triolo and Cruz and Taylor
People believe that the second half will be better offensively with the same players are living in fantasyland
The Pirates are getting the most out of zone strike calls in baseball, they are making good contact and have an above average exit velocity and barrel rate. Their .312 xwOBA suggests they can be about a middle of the pack line-up (league average is .310). They have ovbious flaws though. They are still 2nd in the league in strikeouts looking, are top 5 in called strikes in the heart of the plate (so they’re not swinging at many good pitches), and have the 4th highest whiff rate. They’re ovbiously not going to all of a sudden going to become a great hitting team, and I’m not suggesting that. I think they need to add at least two bats, but there’s potential for at least an average-ish offense in the second half with what they have. I’ll take a team that has a 95-100 wRC+.
spare me this analytical thinking about exit velocity and contact rate
If they don’t score more runs than the opposing team they aren’t going to win and the only way that happens is if they get on base
Striking out doesn’t get them on base
It’s not analytical thinking. They draw walks at an above average rate. If they can find a few more holes, they’ll get runners on base and drive in some more runs. Their approach is still inconsistent though. They need to improve upon that. Like I said, they take some of the most pitches in the heart of the strikezone. But at least when they hit the ball, they’re making good contact, and eventually, that has to lead to more base hits.
analytical thinking isn’t some way to take your home. It’s just thinking like any other type of thinking.
they draw walls at an average rate but fail to turn them into runs
they need to improve on every offensive aspect of the game
making excuses for their paltry performance is insulting
I’m not making excuses. Just pointing out the things they do right. They draw some walks, and make good contact, but not frequently enough. Their 27.1% whiff rate is the 5th highest in baseball.
During their 9-0 pounding by the Brewers Wednesday night, they struck out 6 times on called third strikes.
Do they even know the strike zone and why aren’t they trying to protect the plate?
Swinging and missing is one thing, called out on strikes is another and unacceptable
Being in person at that game, I was incredulous at all the backward Ks! Granted, Vondrak had both sides chirping about his calls but still; six ring ‘im ups?!
It was an ugly sight on the ribbon.
Analytical thinking is that but using data.
Any team would be stupid not to use what is at hand.
It is a good tool,but must be used in conjunction with experience and common sense.
I am not sure whether that always happens in Pittsburgh.
mlb1225, I’m talking about Gorski only starting against lefties. He has an OPS over 1.000 two of the last three years against lefties with a lower K-Rate than his overall rate. He also plays good defense in the outfield and at first base. In a weak-side platoon role I think he could be good and add offense.
Agreed the bar is pretty low haha. Pretty sure Gorski could meet it in a sheltered, platoon role. Has to be better than Taylor. I guess we’ll see.
I prefer to see Taylor included in any trade. He’s a drag on an offense already lackluster and strikes out with impunity
Jack and Hayes are better but not by much
I have said this before and is worth repeating, how can an entire team of 9 always be in a slump at the same time. Is it the fault of the players or hitting coach?
How much time do you give Hayes and Jack to return to form before realizing reaching the playoffs is only a pipe dream?
Jack Hayes has already returned to form. Jack is almost back. Until yesterday day his batting average was over .300 for July. Looks much more comfortable. Hayes is what he is. If his back is fine he will provide elite defense and crush LHP. Be weak vs RHP. Back isn’t likely to improve and they fired the coach that could get him to hit RHP.
I hate to agree with bright eyes but I have been saying the same thing about Gorski for years. He’s a poor mans version of Jack.
Gorski had his shot 2 times already and not a single team was interested. He should have his 3rd shot this fall.
Buc-I have been watching the Pirates nice 1961 and I have never even seen HALF of the number of good young pitching prospects coming up.Some will be suspects but others will become good ML pitchers.
As much as we chide Haines and Shelton for the hitters and I do for Shelton for fundamentals BC and the pitching coaches deserve credit for this group.Oscar Marin has done a fine job too and I hope that if Shelton and Haines ever get the ax that Oscar stays.
Marco won the Mariners community service award last year.
Best wishes to Marco and the Bucs. May he ride Paul Skenes’s coattails to the playoffs!
Thank you monster.
they are playing against a pitcher for the White Sox in tonight’s game who has 146 strikeouts and if they can’t put the ball in play, they are sure to strike out again in double digits
Honestly wouldn’t surprise me to see them tee off on Crochet because they always seems to do that while struggle against bums like Civale, Quantrill, Kyle Gibson, etc.
It wouldn’t surprise me if they struck out 12 times and only scored one run if even that and especially with Taylor and Jack in the lineup
They’ve already kd twice in the first inning
There is not any room for Vince Velasquez any more but hopefully he returns with someone and gets a starting job.
While I was correct that they would strike out in double digits, and probably would have done it more had Chrochette not been pulled, Marco was impressive with his first start in 2 months
I am surprised that Shelton used Holderman in the 8th inning considering he had thrown 25 pitches the night before at Milwaukee which probably means he won’t be available in Saturday’s game
Overall their offense came through when needed including Taylor hitting a double, and of course did what he’s known for, striking out twice
Funny stat in that every other starter struck out exactly once.
The Pirates do what they do best.
I was surprised that the White Sox pulled Crochet as he is the kind of pitcher who would have shut out the Pirates.
Holderman can be scary at times and I do think that he is one pitcher who should not be overworked.
Marco seems like a classy guy to boot.I would pitch him as long as he is successful.
The Pirates need to determine this year who if any existing fielders will be kept and for where to play.Successful teams know their starting lineups coming out of ST and know most of their utilitymen too.
I usually stick up for Nutting in not signing expensive free agents but now will be the time to add if the rest of this year determines any needs that cannot be filled in house.
I’m not sure what prompted you to say Marco has been pitching well, my friend, but so be it. This is the ChiSox, after all.
I hope you are right, of course
They need to make hay against the bottom feeders
I’m somewhat surprised the my friend Dream came out and said the Pirates have little to trade where hitters are concerned. Obviously, I agree
You’re right, Hayes looks better. I’m just not ready to make any such pronouncements about Suwinski. Whatever adjustments they made this season really worked in the opposite direction
My hope remains that they do nothing. Ride it out with what you have and hope guys catch fire for long stretches. Keep your prospects and let them mature. In the NL, .500 may get you a wild card spot.
The off season is when we’ll know how serious they are about being a true contender. My sense is their GM would like to spend but is shackled again by an owner who’ll say all the right things to media, all the while meaning that success equates to more profits. And more profits.
Even state government sees through the “We don’t have the money” line and are making noise in Harrisburg.
State legislators see the money spent for payroll by the Phillies and the economic impact of having a competitive team can do for local businesses
Then they look at the Pirates and question whether Nutting will do the same thing, while making a firm argument that the taxpayers who financed PNC Park will ever see a payoff for their investments
The Pirates lease expires in 2030
We have lost to worse teams than the ChiSox so anytime they can pitch a good inning against a bad team, it should be noted
Flexen with an ers of close to 5 at the start of the game has limited the Bucs to one run through 6 innings
A whole 4 hits and he’s retired his last 8 batters
No one can tell me that this offense doesn’t need a spark because none of them hit with any authority
They should have more runs than just one
Thanks Andy Haines for bringing your failures from Milwaukee to Pittsburgh as batting coach
Oneil Cruz now has 110 strikeouts in 84 games
Why have Grandal attempt a bunt with two strikes on him already?
If not for Reynolds this team wouldn’t score any runs
All they’re going to need is a couple guys to catch fire for stretches, as stated above. To me, Reynolds is the consummate hitter. He’s always going to be the tough out
I’m in no way defending Cruz as he has to mature as a player, but it sure would be nice to see him go on a hitting tear. And Hayes. And Nick. And Rowdy. And it would be nice to see Jack hitting some bombs again
And truthfully, in the NL that’s all it’s going to take.
What they do with Skenes and Jones when he comes back is going to be very interesting. As will the off season
I have become disenchanted by the announcer’s constant insistence of how good a hitter Cruz is when his performance shows otherwise.
Joe Block must think the average fan is stupid or doesn’t know how to understand statistics
Cruz still doesn’t know the strike zone, swings erratically and doesn’t protect the zone
Rowdy is no different. He swung at a pitch yesterday that was 3 feet off the plate
Has Gonzalez ever seen a pitch not to swing at?
I hope Cutch’s hamstring injury isn’t serious. He has 5 or so days to rest and most likely won’t play Sunday
Whoever said that Jack is back hasn’t been watching him bat.
Gonzalez really needs to take a pitch instead of swinging at the first pitch he sees, no matter the location
Do any of these guys know how to hit the ball the other way? Trying to pull a low outside pitch is always an out.
yeah Jack is back
Back to going 0 for his last 9 plate appearances and three times hitting into double plays
good offensive game today, of course against the worst team in baseball but it was still a fun game to watch
Rowdy’s back to hitting weak balls and Jack is in another one of his slumps but
the key players that this team depends upon to score runs were very effective
I am a little curious as to why Taylor and Triolo were not used to hit this entire series.
Could it be because a trade is imminent?
If only every team they play were the ChiSox
I’m gonna go ahead and predict Davis and Suwinski are going to become much better hitters in some other system. The Pirates routinely give up on pitchers. How long before they give up on these two?
Bart seems to be the real deal both as a catcher and as a hitter and with Endy returning next season, you could be right about Davis being traded, Tired
And I don’t see them keeping Jack beyond this year if his numbers continue to decline
Making him a contact hitter takes away his ability to hit for power and has actually made him worse
Hard to believe that the management staff doesn’t see this though neither Shelton or Haines aren’t exactly the brightest bulbs in baseball
An every day player hitting .175 isn’t likely to take this team to the promised land
Agreed. Bart seems to have found a home
I doubt the Pirates could get much for either player but it wouldn’t shock me to see them go. And then flourish elsewhere
Had to marvel about the Pirates again going with middle infielders in yesterday’s draft. Kind of odd