{"id":256655,"date":"2026-07-31T20:51:16","date_gmt":"2026-07-31T20:51:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/256655\/"},"modified":"2026-07-31T20:51:16","modified_gmt":"2026-07-31T20:51:16","slug":"pirates-make-pitching-swap-before-reds-game","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/256655\/","title":{"rendered":"Pirates Make Pitching Swap Before Reds Game"},"content":{"rendered":"

CINCINNATI \u2014 The Pittsburgh Pirates need pitchers to take on innings out of their bullpen and have one young arm in mind for their next few games.<\/p>\n

The Pirates recalled right-handed pitcher Antwone Kelly from Triple-A Indianapolis ahead of the second game of a four-game series vs. the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park on July 31.<\/p>\n

Pittsburgh, for the corresponding move, optioned left-handed pitcher Hunter Barco back to Indianapolis, making room for Kelly on the 26-man roster.<\/p>\n

It’s a big chance for Kelly to impress in the major leagues and fulfill the belief the Pirates front office has in his potential.<\/p>\n

Why the Pirates Made This Pitching Change<\/p>\n

Barco pitched three innings and threw 72 pitches, giving up two runs in the 3-2 loss to the Reds<\/a> in the series opener on July 30.<\/p>\n

The Pirates sending Barco down has to do with him not being able to pitch the next few days and bringing Kelly back gives them an available relief pitcher.<\/p>\n

\"Pittsburgh<\/p>\n

Apr 28, 2026; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates relief pitcher Hunter Barco (45) throws against the St. Louis Cardinals during the fifth inning at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect<\/p>\n

Kelly may get a bulk relief role, but the Pirates just need him ready to pitch after their bullpen game yesterday, where they had five relief pitchers throw. <\/p>\n

He also hasn’t pitched since July 25, six days ago, and is ready to go for this game against the Reds. <\/p>\n

The Pirates have a bullpen featuring right-handed pitchers in Kelly, Wilber Dotel, Ron Marinaccio<\/a>, Carmen Mlodzinski, Noah Murdock, Yohan Ram\u00edrez, plus left-handed pitchers in Mason Montgomery and Gregory Soto. <\/p>\n

Background on Antwone Kelly<\/p>\n

This marks the third stint for Kelly at the major league level, pitching in two games and then the Pirates sending him back down <\/a>after each one.<\/p>\n

Kelly struggled in those two outings, giving up a two-run home run in his 2.1 innings in the 8-3 loss to the Miami Marlins on June 12 and another two-run home run and an RBI-double over two innings in the 14-5 win over the Milwaukee Brewers on July 12, both at PNC Park. <\/p>\n

\"Pittsburgh<\/p>\n

Mar 1, 2026; Jupiter, Florida, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates relief pitcher Antwone Kelly (89) delivers a pitch against the St. Louis Cardinals during the fourth inning at Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect<\/p>\n

He has spent the rest of the time down in Indianapolis, posting a 5-5 record in 13 starts and 19 appearances, a 4.29 ERA over 77.2 innings pitched, 56 strikeouts to 36 walks, a .248 BAA and a 1.40 WHIP.<\/p>\n

Kelly has had great success in Triple-A in July, with a 2-0 record in four outings and one start, a 1.59 ERA over 17.0 innings pitched, a .186 BAA and a 0.94 WHIP.<\/p>\n

He threw six scoreless innings of relief in a 6-0 road win over Omaha (Kansas City Royals) on July 3, threw four scoreless innings in a start in 13-6 road win over Columbus (Cleveland Guardians) on July 18 and threw five no-hit innings in a 9-0 win over Lehigh Valley (Philadelphia Phillies) in his most recent outing on July 25.<\/p>\n

The Pirates will hope that Kelly can come up and bring that same kind of effectiveness, as they need to stay competitive in a tough NL Wild Card race<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Make sure to visit Pirates OnSI for the latest news, updates, interviews and insight on the Pittsburgh Pirates!<\/a><\/p>\n

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