Pirates Send Rookie Pitcher Right Back to Triple-A

PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Pirates are now at the All-Star break, but that doesn't mean that they're done making roster moves.

The Pirates optioned right-handed pitcher Antwone Kelly to Triple-A Indianapolis following the series finale vs. the Milwaukee Brewers at PNC Park on July 12, a 14-5 win for the home team.

Kelly threw two innings of relief in the victory, but gave up a two-run home run and an RBI-double in the eighth inning for three earned runs, while getting no strikeouts and issuing a walk.

The Pirates did not announce a corresponding move, but will have to do so by their next game, when they take on the Cleveland Guardians at Progressive Field on July 17.

Kelly had just come back up from Indianapolis on July 10 and this marked his second ever MLB outing.

He earned his first MLB call-up on June 12 and he gave up a two-run home run over 2.1 innings in the 8-3 loss to the Miami Marlins at PNC Park.

The Pirates bullpen now features four right-handed pitchers in Isaac Mattson, Carmen Mlodzinski, Yohan Ramírez and Dennis Santana, plus three left-handed pitchers in the newly acquired Brandon Eisert, Mason Montgomery and Gregory Soto.