Antwone

Kelly

The Pirates lost 12-2, but at least they got through the game using only three pitchers in what was supposed to be a Braxton Ashcraft start. After Dotel departed, Khristian Curtis gave up six runs in three innings and then Antwone Kelly allowed three runs in three innings. At least one and maybe two of today’s pitchers will likely be swapped out for fresh arms on Saturday.

With Braxton Ashcraft (arm) hitting the injured list on Thursday, Kelly will provide the bullpen with a fresh arm — at least until the Pirates decide how to manage the vacancy in their rotation. The 23-year-old has posted a 5.40 ERA, 1.44 WHIP and a 5/4 K/BB ratio over 8 1/3 innings in four appearances for the Pirates this season.

Kelly, 22, has struggled in four appearances with the Bucs this season, registering a 5.40 ERA, 1.44 WHIP and a 5/4 K/BB ratio across 8 1/3 innings. He’ll continue to hone his craft at the Triple-A level until another opportunity arises.

This is the fourth time the Pirates have brought Kelly back up from Triple-A since June 12th. He’s thrown 7 1/3 innings across three big league appearances with a 6.14 ERA, four strikeouts, and four walks.

Kelly has allowed five runs over 7 1/3 innings at the big-league level this season. The 22-year-old will be up-and-down with Pittsburgh over the final two months of the season.

Kelly has a 10.38 ERA in two appearances for the Pirates this year, but it’s a fresh arm’s game and the 22-year-old will join the pen after Hunter Barco threw 73 pitches last night.

Kelly, who was called up Friday, gave up three runs while pitching two innings in the rout of the Brewers on Sunday. He’s allowed five runs in 4 1/3 innings in two appearances for the Pirates this year.

Kelly is the Pirates’ 7th-ranked prospect, according to MLB Pipeline, and was up in the middle of June when he allowed two runs over 2 1/3 innings against the Marlins. While twelve of his 17 appearances in Triple-A have been starts, he is likely up to give the Pirates some depth out of the bullpen since they got a short outing from Mitch Keller on Thursday.

Kelly heads back to the minors after allowing two runs over 2 1/3 innings on Friday in his big-league debut against the Marlins. The 22-year-old prospect figures to receive a more extensive look at some point later this summer.

Kelly is the Pirates’ 7th-ranked prospect. The 22-year-old has a 4.50 ERA in 54 innings at Triple-A (13 appearances, 10 starts) with a 47/24 K/BB ratio. Kelly pitched for the Netherlands in the World Baseball Classic, but he was born in Aruba and will be the first pitcher from Aruba to debut in MLB since 1998 and the first Aruban pitcher in MLB overall in 17 years. He’ll provide the Pirates with some length and velocity in their bullpen.