Pirates Takeaways: Chase De Jong Continues To Do The Job (+)
PITTSBURGH — In Tuesday’s 5-3 loss to the Boston Red Sox, Pittsburgh Pirates starter Mitch Keller was only able to go two innings due to shoulder fatigue.
The early exit put the pressure on the Bucs’ bullpen to try and work efficiently and preserve some arms for a stretch of eight straight games without a day off.
Chase De Jong was the first reliever out of the bullpen. Like he has usually done all season, the right-hander got the job done.
“To go into that game, I knew my job was to keep the team in the game, work efficiently and give us a chance to win,” De Jong said.
De Jong certainly accomplished his goal as he faced the minimum over four innings, allowing just one walk which was erased on a 5-4-3 double play. It took him only 41 pitches to get through his four innings.
As to what led to his efficiency, De Jong was complimentary of his team.
“My defense. Are you kidding me?” De Jong said.
He cited some fine plays from left fielder Tucupita Marcano as an example of his teammates playing well behind him.
De Jong wasn’t necessarily in the plans as a major factor in the Pirates’ bullpen back in spring training, but that’s exactly what he has become this season.
De Jong’s 2021 season was cut short with a knee injury, an ailment he has been battling for a while now. De Jong attributes better health to the reason for his success.
“My knee injury happened gradually since it was a cartilage problem, just slowly started to flake away and flake away until I had a Grade 4 out of four tear,” he said. “I’m reaping the benefits of throwing on a healthy knee for the first time in I don’t know how long.”
De Jong’s 2022 ERA now sits at a healthy 2.33.
De Jong, along with relievers Austin Brice and Manny Bañuelos combined to no-hit the Red Sox through seven innings, the first time a Pittsburgh bullpen has done that since at least 1883.
No Pain For Keller
Though Keller was removed from the game, he is not currently experiencing any pain in his shoulder. Even without pain, Keller knew there was something off.
“Velocity was way down, curveballs weren’t sharp. I wanted to stay out there but it wasn’t my decision,” Keller said.
Keller was removed from the game after the second inning after allowing five runs (four earned) on five hits and three walks.
Now, Keller will try and put the game and the shoulder fatigue in the rearview mirror.
“Just try and recover as best as possible, just try and flush it out and try and do whatever I can, just try and get back on it,” he said.
Oh no, Oneil
After finishing the game 0 for 4 with a pair of strikeouts, Oneil Cruz finds himself in a slump.
Over his last eight games, Cruz is hitting just .103 (3 for 29) with 13 strikeouts. Even with the struggles, the Pirates are trying to keep things positive.
“We continue to stay positive with him, continue to encourage him. The big thing with young players and especially young hitters is you’ve got to continue to stay positive,” Pirates manager Derek Shelton said after the loss.
A Rare Outburst
Bryan Reynolds was ejected from the game for the first time in his career after arguing balls and strikes with home plate umpire Roberto Ortiz.
What led the the outburst? Reynolds, a man of few words kept it simple, “I disagreed.”
And that’s that.
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