Pirates starter Chris Archer underwent surgery on Tuesday to repair a bilateral hernia, Stephen J. Nesbitt of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports. The Pirates say Archer is expected to be on schedule or close to it for the 2019 season.
Archer, 30, was traded by the Rays to the Pirates ahead of the non-waiver trade deadline on July 31. He battled a groin injury with his new team, ultimately settling on offseason surgery. Overall, Archer posted a 4.31 ERA with a 162/49 K/BB ratio in 148 1/3 innings.
Archer is under contract next season at $7.5 million. The Pirates have club options for the 2020 and ’21 seasons for $9 million and $11 million, respectively, with respective buyouts of $1.75 million and $250,000.