Pirates’ Khristian Curtis Gets Second Opportunity After Dazzling Debut
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PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Pirates have a few exciting rookie pitchers who they will give chances to the rest of the season and right-hander Khristian Curtis is one of them.
The Pirates recalled Curtis from Triple-A Indianapolis ahead of their series finale vs. the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium on Aug. 23
Pittsburgh optioned fellow rookie right-handed pitcher Antwone Kelly to Indianapolis, making room for Curtis on the 26-man roster.
It's a big opportunity for Curtis, where he will likely get a chance to pitch and help the Pirates avoid getting swept.
Why the Pirates Brought Curtis Back vs. Dodgers
The Pirates bullpen has pitched a lot the past couple of days, taking on 9.2 innings and with eight of the nine potential pitchers throwing.
Pittsburgh already has right-handed pitcher Lake Bachar starting vs. Los Angeles and fellow right-hander Carmen Mlodzinski coming on in a bulk role, plus fellow right-hander Yohan Ramírez pitched the past two games and won't be available out of the bullpen.
Kelly threw one inning for the Pirates in the 4-3 loss to the Dodgers on Aug. 23, so since he wouldn't have been available for this game, they bring Curtis back who can pitch.
Right-hander Camilo Doval also pitched the last game and then right-hander Luke Weaver and left-handers Mason Montgomery and Gregory Soto all threw in the 5-4 extra innings defeat in the series opener on Aug. 21.
Indianapolis had Curtis starting today so he was already ready to pitch and this will likely give him a chance at some point to provide some important innings for the Pirates.
Curtis Looks To Build Off of Great MLB Debut
The Pirates originally brought Curtis up for his first appearance in the major leagues in the doubleheader vs. the Cleveland Guardians at Progressive Field on July 18.
Curtis came in the second inning of the second game of the doubleheader, after Montgomery threw a scoreless first inning, and then provided five scoreless innings for the Pirates and keeping them ahead 3-0.
It was a great showing from Curtis in his MLB debut, as allowed two hits and two walks and struck out four batters, preventing the Guardians from doing much at the plate and giving his team the best chance to go win, despite the bullpen eventually blowing it in the 5-3 defeat.
The Pirates sent Curtis back down to Indianapolis after the game, but since they selected his contract and added him to the 40-man roster, that gave him the chance to make a return if the Pirates needed him.
Curtis started 12 games for Double-A Altoona before earning his Triple-A promotion on June 9 and has pitched in nine games, making five starts.
He did spend go on the 7-day injured list on July 25 with side discomfort, but returned on Aug. 12 and has pitched in two games since, last doing son on Aug. 18, giving him a few days rest before this appearance.
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Dominic writes for Pittsburgh Pirates On SI, Pittsburgh Panthers Pn SI and also, Pittsburgh Steelers On SI. A Pittsburgh native, Dominic grew up watching Pittsburgh Sports and wrote for The Pitt News as an undergraduate at the University of Pittsburgh, covering Pitt Athletics. He would write for Pittsburgh Sports Now after college and has years of experience covering sports across Pittsburgh.