The Pittsburgh Pirates general manager Ben Cherington said right-hander Roansy Contreras is going back to the bullpen, creating an opening in the starting rotation.
Cherington shared the news Sunday afternoon on his weekly radio show on 93.7 FM, adding that the Pirates expect to promote a pitcher from Triple-A Indianapolis to start Wednesday or Thursday at the Chicago Cubs.
The Pirates moved Contreras to the bullpen in late May, when Vince Velasquez was activated from the 15-day injured list. Contreras made one appearance, pitching two scoreless innings in relief of Luis Ortiz in a 6-3 loss at the Seattle Mariners on May 28, before returning to the rotation after Velasquez reinjured his right elbow.
“We’re going to give him a chance to help us in that way,” Cherington said of Contreras. “He’s just gotten himself in a situation where he’s not in his best form.”
Contreras, 23, is 3-5 with a 5.91 ERA and 1.54 WHIP in 12 games, including 11 starts, this season. He won his three of his first four decisions but has lost his past four, with an 8.16 ERA and .316 batting average against in his last seven appearances.
The Pirates’ starting rotation depth is a concern, after right-hander JT Brubaker underwent Tommy John surgery in April and right-hander Velasquez was lost Wednesday to season-ending surgery on his right elbow. Cherington said Contreras can continue to work with pitching coach Oscar Marin while in the bullpen.
“We’ll take the gas off, so to speak,” Cherington said. “We’re confident Roansy will respond to this.”
