Quinn Priester Expected to Start Against Red Sox on Friday

The Pittsburgh Pirates have placed right-handed pitcher Quinn Priester on the taxi squad. He’s expected to be activated to the 26-man roster on Friday to start for the Pirates against the Boston Red Sox at PNC Park.

Priester has spent the season with Triple-A Indianapolis, where he’s made three starts. Through his first three outings of the season, the right-hander is 1-1 with a 3.95 ERA. In 13.2 total innings, he’s yielded 12 hits, walked five and struck out an impressive 20 batters.

The 2019 first-round draft pick made his major-league debut last season on July 17 and went on to make a total of 10 appearances. He finished his first year in the majors with a 3-3 record and a 7.71 ERA.

The Pirates had a void in their rotation as left-handed pitcher Marco Gonzales was placed on the injured list with a forearm injury. Gonzales provided the Pirates with solid work through his first three starts. Prior to getting injured, the left-hander posted a 2.65 ERA through 17 innings pitched.

No corresponding move will be necessary to get Priester on the Pirates’ active roster. On Wednesday, the team optioned left-handed relief pitcher Jose Hernandez to Indianapolis. Hernandez was 1-1 with a 1.93 ERA and one save at the time he was sent down.