Pirates Bring Back Rookie Pitcher Before Tigers Game

Right-handed pitchers Camilo Doval and Kirby Yates each threw an inning over the past two games, left-handed pitcher Gregory Soto has thrown an inning in the last game and the 4-0 loss to the Red Sox on Aug. 15, while right-handed pitcher Yohan Ramírez threw an inning last night, but it ended up as 44 pitches.

The Pirates also utilitzed different pitchers in bulk roles, with rookies in right-hander Wilber Dotel throwing two innings on Aug. 15 and left-hander Hunter Barco throwing three innings on Aug. 16, plus Mattson throwing two innings in the last game.

All three of these pitchers went back down to Triple-A after these outings, performing their role and then bringing up the next person to take on a big chunk of innings.

Kelly will most certainly perform this role in this game, likely coming in after right-handed starting pitcher Braxton Ashcraft.

Kelly's Tenure with the Pirates

The Pirates have brought Kelly up for a fourth time and he had a bulk role in his past three outings for them.

Kelly most recently did this against the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park on July 31, throwing three scoreless innings, allowing two hits and two walks and posting three strikeouts.

It was the best outing of his major league career, especially considering he gave up three runs against the Milwaukee Brewers on July 12 and two runs to the Miami Marlins on his MLB debut on June 12, both at PNC Park and both times allowing a two-run home run.

Kelly has pitched twice for Indianapolis since he last went down and given up just one run over six innings. He has also just given up one run in his past five outings and 21 innings pitched down in the minors.

It's likely that the Pirates send Kelly back down to Triple-A after this game, but that shouldn't stop him from putting on a great performance in front of the home crowd.