Pirates Pitcher Potentially Featuring in World Baseball Classic

Nicolas fielded a question about pitching in the World Baseball Classic and didn't confirm anything, but did say it was a possibility.

"Yeah, I don't know yet, but I don't know if it's on the table or not," Nicolas said. "There might be a chance."

Nicolas confirmed that Team Italy is the team he would play for, relying on his mother's ancestry to get a chance to play.

He isn't from Italy himself, so he has to rely on either his mother or someone older with Italian citizenship, that would make him eligible for the team.

Nicolas did note that the main reason he isn't sure about his participation in the World Baseball Classic is because he needs approval from the MLB.

"Team Italy it would be for, but still have not been approved by MLB for heritage-wise. So we'll see where it goes."

Looking Back at Kyle Nicolas' 2025 Season

Nicolas didn't make the opening day roster and pitched in four games with Triple-A Indianapolis before his first call-up, allowing six earned runs in 4.2 innings for an 11.57 ERA.

He came up to the Pirates on April 10, who recalled him from Indianapolis and placed him in the bullpen.

Nicolas made seven appearances for the Pirates, allowing nine earned runs over 7.2 innings pitched for an ERA of 10.57, eight walks to six strikeouts and a .294 opposing batting average.

The Pirates sent Nicolas back down to Indianapolis on May 4, as they activated fellow right-handed pitcher Dennis Santana off the bereavement list.

Nicolas made nine appearances with Indianapolis and performed much better, with just one earned run allowed over 9.2 innings pitched, a 0.98 ERA.

The Pirates recalled Nicolas on June 3, taking the spot back from Tanner Rainey, who the Pirates designated for assignment.

Nicolas made three appearances in that stint with the Pirates, allowing three hits, a walk and an earned run in 4.1 innings pitched for a 2.08 ERA, two strikeouts and an opposing batting average of.188.

The Pirates sent Nicolas back down to Triple-A on June 11 and he made 17 appearances, posting a 3.38 ERA over 21.1 innings pitched, 25 strikeouts to 10 walks and a .232 batting average, before coming back to the team.

Nicolas joined back with the Pirates on Aug. 1, after recent moves after the trade deadline. He posted a 3.38 ERA over 16.0 innings pitched 11 appearances with a win, plus a .193 batting average allowed (BAA) and a 1.00.

He missed the following two series with the Pirates after going on the bereavement list on Aug. 29, but returned on Sept. 5 and spent the final three weeks of the regular season with the team.

Nicolas had two losses and a 3.60 ERA over 10 innings pitched in 10 appearances, with a .256 BAA and a 1.40 WHIP.

He finished his season with 31 appearances out of the bullpen for the Pirates over four stints at the major league level.

Nicolas will look to get off to a good start this season and if he gets a chance with Team Italy, that might help him achieve that earlier on.