Brubaker lands on 60-day IL, timetable uncertain

CINCINNATI -- The Pirates announced on Sunday that they have transferred starter JT Brubaker from the 15-day to the 60-day injured list due to right elbow discomfort, a blow that leaves Pittsburgh without a core piece of its rotation for the foreseeable future.

“As we have more information, we'll be able to get it,” manager Derek Shelton said following the Pirates’ 3-1 loss to the Reds at Great American Ball Park. “We knew it was going to be a longer length of time, but we're still kind of finding out information on it. We should probably have more information on it next week.”

Brubaker was scheduled to make his final start of Spring Training last Monday, but he was scratched due to right forearm/elbow discomfort, per director of sports medicine Todd Tomczyk. On Opening Day, the Pirates placed Brubaker, who did not travel to Cincinnati, on the 15-day injured list. Now Brubaker will be out of the mix for, at minimum, the next two months.

In 2019, Brubaker dealt with elbow issues that limited him to just six appearances in the Minor Leagues. Tomczyk said in late March that Brubaker’s injury is in a similar area, but not necessarily the same area. Shelton noted after Sunday’s loss that the team is still trying to hone in on the specifics of the injury.

“It changes the calculus of the rotation in that we planned on Bru being in it,” Shelton said. “Now, we’re finding out that it’s going to be a lengthier time, so that adjusts it right now.”

Brubaker, 29, is coming off the finest season of his career, finishing with career bests in innings (144), strikeouts (147), FIP (3.92) and fWAR (1.9). That improvement was due in part to his finding a sustainable formula for success. Brubaker evolved into a predominantly sinker-slider pitcher last season, just about eliminating the four-seam fastball from his repertoire. During Spring Training, Brubaker added about four inches of movement to his curveball, a tertiary pitch with which he found success last season. Brubaker tweaked his changeup a bit as well, transitioning more into a circle-change.

With those changes in tow, Brubaker orchestrated a very encouraging spring. The right-hander’s 5.19 ERA doesn’t jump off the stat sheet, but across 17 1/3 innings, Brubaker totaled 26 strikeouts to just three walks. He appeared on track to take another jump this season, but for the time being, those plans are on hold.

The injury stings, but the Pirates have no shortage of starters who could see time in the coming weeks and months.

With Bruabker on the shelf, right-hander Johan Oviedo stands to fill his spot in the rotation. Oviedo appeared destined to begin the season with Triple-A Indianapolis, but with Brubaker on the injured list, Oviedo slotted into the rotation and could stay there for the foreseeable future. Oviedo, whom the Pirates acquired from the Cardinals at last year’s Trade Deadline, impressed down the stretch, posting a 3.23 ERA and a 3.47 FIP in seven starts for Pittsburgh. In Oviedo’s final five outings of Spring Training, he posted 3.06 ERA with 23 strikeouts and seven walks across 17 2/3 innings.

“I think right now, it’s Oviedo’s spot,” Shelton said. “It’s easy to say that -- he hasn’t had his first start [of the season] -- but right now, it’s Oviedo’s spot.”

Along with Oviedo, right-handed prospects Quinn Priester (No. 4 per MLB Pipeline), Luis Ortiz (No. 8) and Mike Burrows (No. 9) are waiting in the wings at Triple-A Indianapolis. Ortiz, who features a triple-digit fastball and a biting slider, teased his talent at the tail end of last season, posting a 4.50 ERA and a 3.67 FIP across 16 innings. Burrows and Priester are still awaiting their first callups -- Burrows is already on the 40-man roster -- but they could make their debuts this season if they perform with Indianapolis. With Brubaker’s status in question, those three might be on the fast track to Pittsburgh.

“We’re right there with the best organizations in the game with our pitching and what we have,” Mitch Keller said during Spring Training before Brubaker’s injury. “It’s really exciting to see because there is depth, and to know -- obviously never wish anyone goes down or anyone has injuries, but if that does happen, it feels like we’re in a good spot to have that filled.”