Keller's first MLB stay is brief as Pirates return top prospect to Triple-A

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Keller's first MLB stay is brief as Pirates return top prospect to Triple-A

Jerry DiPaola | Tuesday, May 28, 2019 6:20 p.m.

Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Mitch Keller watches as Cincinnati Reds’ Jose Iglesias runs the bases on a grand slam in the first inning during the second baseball game of a doubleheader, Monday, May 27, 2019, in Cincinnati.

Mitch Keller’s development will continue in Indianapolis.

A day after he allowed six runs in the first inning of his first major-league start, Keller was optioned to the Triple-A Indians on Tuesday. General manager Neal Huntington had been reluctant to use Keller, 23, before management considered him ready, and only called up the team’s top prospect because of the dire injury situation among Pirates starters.

With two spots open in the rotation, the Pirates will use Steven Brault on Wednesday and, possibly, give Nick Kingham another start this weekend. Kingham pitched the first game of the doubleheader Monday in Cincinnati, working 4 2/3 innings and giving up seven hits, three runs, one walk and five strikeouts in the Pirates’ 8-5 victory. Keller took the loss in the second game as the Reds won, 8-1.

Relief pitcher Richard Rodriguez will take Keller’s spot on the 25-man roster.

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