Pirates Place Marco Gonzales on Injured List

The Pittsburgh Pirates will be without one of their starting pitchers. Left-hander Marco Gonzales was placed on the 15-day injured list with a left forearm muscle strain.

Gonzales started Saturday’s game against the Philadelphia Phillies and pitched well. In six innings, he allowed a pair of runs on six hits and three walks to go along with five strikeouts.

The Pirates acquired Gonzales in a trade with the Atlanta Braves during the offseason and the lefty provided stability to the rotation in the early going. Through three starts with Pittsburgh to begin the season, Gonzales has a 2.65 ERA (5er/17ip).

The left forearm injury is extra concerning considering Gonzales underwent season-ending surgery to decompress a nerve in the same forearm last year while with the Seattle Mariners.

The Pirates will have to fill Gonzales’ rotation spot and there are certainly some logical candidates to do so. Luis Ortiz could transition from the bullpen to the rotation if needed. In Indianapolis, Quinn Priester has pitched well to begin the year.

Of course top prospect Paul Skenes could also be in consideration. Skenes has yet to allow a run in 9.1 innings pitched and has struck out 19 of the 33 batters he’s faced. Although, he has yet to throw more than 3.1 innings in a start.

To take Gonzales’ spot on the active roster for the time being, the Pirates have recalled right-handed reliever Ryder Ryan from Indianapolis.

Ryan made four appearances with the Pirates after cracking the club’s Opening Day roster. He was optioned to Triple-A on Apr. 9 to make room for Colin Holderman, who was reinstated from the injured list.