The Pittsburgh Pirates suspended relief pitcher Keone Kela for two games because of an unspecified violation of his Uniform Player’s Contract.
The suspension occurs simultaneously with his reinstatement from the 60-day injured list. He hasn’t pitched since May 4 while recovering from shoulder inflammation.
The team announced it will have no further comment.
Kela was acquired from the Texas Rangers last season at the trade deadline to bolster the bullpen for a playoff drive. He pitched in 16 games (151⁄3 innings), with an 0-1 record, 2.93 ERA, 22 strikeouts and an impressive 0.978 WHIP.
But he was shut down after Sept. 3 for the rest of the season because of what the team called “a heavy workload.”
Kela, 26, worked in 14 games this season, with a 1-0 record, 4.63 ERA, 11 strikeouts and a WHIP of 1.286 before going on the injured list.
He compiled a 13.50 WHIP in four games and 31⁄3 innings during his recent rehab assignment in Triple-A Indianapolis
Before the suspension was announced, manager Clint Hurdle said Kela has the ability to bolster the Pirates bullpen.
“(He is) an experienced major-league reliever who’s gotten big outs in high leverage situations,” Hurdle said.
