Pirates' pitching woes continue as Joe Musgrove goes on IL, Nick Tropeano claimed

Derek Shelton won’t deny managing an injury-depleted pitching staff is “challenging” for the Pittsburgh Pirates, and their juggling act continued Tuesday with a couple of roster moves.

The Pirates placed right-hander Joe Musgrove, their Opening Day starter, on the 10-day injured list with right triceps inflammation. Musgrove (0-3, 6.75 ERA) was scratched from Sunday’s start with a right ankle issue, which he also is battling.

What Shelton won’t do is play the woe-is-me card.

“Obviously, we didn’t know coming in to this year what it was going to be like,” Shelton said. “No one is going to feel sorry for you. So we just have to continue to execute, to get better, to continue to teach and get guys out there.”

With Musgrove joining fellow starter Mitch Keller on the IL, the Pirates claimed Nick Tropeano off waivers from the New York Yankees. The 30-year-old right-hander has a 12-14 record and 4.51 ERA in 39 career starts, 35 coming with the Los Angeles Angels from 2015-19. He missed the 2017 season following Tommy John surgery.

To make room for Tropeano on the 40-man roster, the Pirates moved relief pitcher Clay Holmes from the 10-day IL to the 45-day IL, effectively ending his season. Holmes is the third right-handed reliever to suffer a season-ending injury, joining Nick Burdi and Michael Feliz. The Pirates also lost catcher Luke Maile and infielder/outfielder Phillip Evans to season-ending injuries.

That forced the Pirates to call up Miguel Del Pozo, Geoff Hartlieb, Nick Mears and Brandon Waddell from Altoona over the past two weeks. Tropeano was optioned to the satellite camp at Altoona, which is where the Pirates also sent right-hander Henderson Alvarez after signing him Sunday and righty reliever Tyler Bashlor after acquiring him from the Mets last week.

“It’s very apparent that with pitching depth being thinned out because of the number of guys that we’ve had injured,” Shelton said, “if there are people out there we think can help us and give us innings, then we’re going to make acquisitions.”

Williams to start at Reds

The injuries have put the Pirates’ rotation in flux, so they will start Trevor Williams (0-3, 3.52) against Anthony DeSclafani (1-0 , 0.00) on Thursday at the Cincinnati Reds.

It will mark an eight-day layoff for Williams, who allowed one run on three hits and a walk with five strikeouts over seven innings in a 5-2 loss to Minnesota on Aug. 5. Williams has thrown two bullpen sessions between starts but is trying to take advantage of the additional rest.

“As a starting pitcher, you take those off days when you can. You really do,” Williams said. “There’s not really an opportunity for off days or no-throw days or easier days. You really need to capitalize on those off days. But we also got a lot of good work in yesterday in my second bullpen between starts.

“When things are going right, you want to get out there as much as you can. But, in an opportunity like we had, with extra days, we were able to repeat that feeling and repeat that delivery, repeat how the ball’s coming out of your hand more in the bullpen. So now we can more quantify it and get that feeling right, where you know, this is what I have to feel when I get on the mound again.”

Kela getting closer

Shelton said closer Keone Kela was “very good” in throwing 18 pitches during a live batting practice Tuesday at PNC Park and will determine his timetable after meeting with Shelton and pitching coach Oscar Marin. Kela missed all of training camp after testing positive for covid-19 and is working his arm back into condition.

Crick throws bullpen

Shelton said reliever Kyle Crick, who has been on the IL with a shoulder injury, threw a bullpen session Tuesday at PNC Park.

“I did not see the bullpen, but from talking to Oscar and Cricky, it sounded like it went well,” Shelton said. “It’s one of those things, see how he responds tomorrow and then do the build-up from there.”

Waiting on Keller

The news on Keller isn’t as promising, as he has yet to play catch. Shelton said the “assumption is” Keller will play catch in the next four to five days, but means he’s nowhere ready to return to the starting rotation.