Pirates Reliever Kyle Nicolas to Miss Rest of Season

Kyle Nicolas’ 2024 season is over. The Pittsburgh Pirates placed the right-handed reliever on the 15-day injured list (retro to Sep. 17) with a left oblique strain. Nicolas left Monday’s game against the St. Louis Cardinals after facing just one batter.

Nicolas made 51 appearances out of the Pirates’ bullpen this season and went 2-2 with a 3.95 ERA. Across 54.2 innings pitched, he allowed 51 hits, walked 31 and struck out 55 batters. Opponents hit .249 against him with a .695 OPS and hit just four home runs.

The 25-year-old earned his first major-league win on July 13 against the Chicago White Sox after tossing 1.1-scoreless innings in the Pirates’ 6-2 victory.

Nicolas began the season in Triple-A but joined the big-league club at the end of April. After struggling out of the gate, he posted a healthy 3.30 ERA in 39 appearances dating back to June 2.

Taking Nicolas’ spot on the roster is right-handed pitcher Jake Woodford, who had his contract selected from Indianapolis. Woodford will start for the Pirates against the Cardinals in St. Louis on Wednesday night.

Woodford made six appearances/four starts with the Pirates after he was signed as a minor-league free agent on June 10. Combined between those six appearances, he went 0-4 with a 6.95 ERA.

In 10 appearances/nine starts with Indianapolis, Woodford went 2-2 with a 2.44 ERA.

It will be his first time Woodford has gotten a chance to pitch against his former team. He spent the first four seasons of his career in St. Louis from 2020-23. He’ll be looking for his first MLB win since last year on June 25 — then with the Cardinals — against the Chicago Cubs.

To make room on the 40-man roster, RHP Ben Heller (right shoulder inflammation) was transferred to the 60-day IL.