Pirates Make Big Bullpen Moves Before Brewers Series

PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Pirates have a crucial series against the Milwaukee Brewers at PNC Park and altered their bullpen beforehand.

The Pirates recalled both right-handed pitchers in Antwone Kelly and Thomas Harrington from Triple-A Indianapolis, while optioning both right-handed pitchers in Cam Sanders and Hunter Stratton to Indianapolis.

Kelly and Harrington are both rookies, with limited MLB experience, spending most of their time in the minor leagues as starting pitchers and as top prospects in the Pirates farm system.

Harrington struggled last season with the Pirates, with a 15.58 ERA over three outings, while Kelly made one appearance for the Pirates in 2026, giving up two earned runs over 2.1 innings in relief in the 8-3 loss to the Miami Marlins at PNC Park on June 12.

This marks the fifth time that the Pirates have sent Sanders back down to Triple-A and if they do so one more time, they'll have to expose him to waivers before hand.

Stratton joined the Pirates after they traded for him, sending catcher Joey Bart to the Atlanta Braves on June 18. He earned his call-up back on July 4 and pitched in two games vs. the Braves at PNC Park on July 7 and July 9, giving up two earned runs over 2.1 innings pitched.