CHICAGO -- Wednesday is supposed to be Mitch Keller's spot in the rotation, but as of Tuesday, the Pirates have yet to announce a starter.
Keller could potentially still pitch that game, but it might not be as a starter, with Derek Shelton saying he could be used out of the bullpen.
"We’ve given almost everybody who’s started for us different options," Shelton said before Tuesday's game against the Cubs at Wrigley Field. "I’m not going to say that he’s specifically going to pitch out of the bullpen tomorrow. Could that be an option at one point for us tomorrow? Yeah. It could be."
The Pirates have been deploying what they refer to as hybrid pitchers this year -- including Dillon Peters, Wil Crowe and Bryse Wilson -- who oftentimes piggyback with a traditional starter where they both go a couple of innings. If Keller was to pitch out of the bullpen, it very likely would be in this type of role, where he gets an opener first.
Shelton has said that if the Pirates have a starter who proves they do not need a hybrid -- like a No. 1 or 2 pitcher -- they will not limit their innings or attach a hybrid pitcher to them. A good example of this is José Quintana, who has pitched to a 2.19 ERA so far this season and has pitched 13 scoreless innings in his last two outings.
Keller came into the year with a revamped fastball and confidence, but the results have been quite poor, recording an 0-5 record with a 6.61 ERA over his first seven starts. The former top pitching prospect has allowed at least four runs in five of those outings.
It would still be a fairly new experience for Keller. Outside of one relief appearance in rookie ball, the only time he has ever pitched out of the bullpen was shortly after being promoted to Class AAA Indianapolis last season, making his first two outings in the middle of the game.
The Pirates have been open with their pitchers that they will be deployed in different ways this season.
"We’ve told our guys everything’s on the table," Shelton said. "We’ve told guys the day before, we’ve told them day of. We just want to make sure that health-wise they’re in a position to pitch."
The Pirates and Cubs will conclude their three-game series in Chicago Wednesday, with first pitch coming at 7:40 p.m. Eastern.
