Pirates Lose Kirby Yates to Injury

PITTSBURGH — Injuries have plagued the Pittsburgh Pirates, and they've now hurt an important part of their bullpen.

The Pirates placed right-handed relief pitcher Kirby Yates on the 15-day injured list, retroactive to Aug. 31, with right shoulder impingement.

Pittsburgh also recalled rookie right-handed pitcher Khristian Curtis from Triple-A Indianapolis to fill in for Yates' absence.

This is the second roster move the Pirates have made ahead of the series finale vs. the San Francisco Giants at PNC Park on Sept. 3, as they also recalled fellow rookie right-handed Wilber Dotel and optioned left-handed pitcher Evan Sisk to Indianapolis.

Yates joined the Pirates in a trade at the Aug. 3 deadline from the Los Angeles Angels, with right-handed pitching prospect Kyle Robinson going the other way.

He has been one of the best relief pitchers for the Pirates since joining, posting a 2-0 record in 13 appearances, a 2.19 ERA over 12.1 innings pitched, 11 strikeouts to five walks, a .239 batting average allowed and a 1.30 WHIP.

The Pirates' bullpen now has seven right-handed pitchers in Lake Bachar, Curtis, Dotel, Camilo Doval, Carmen Mlodzinski, Yohan Ramírez and Luke Weaver, plus two left-handed pitchers in Mason Montgomery and Gregory Soto.