Kranick struggles in loss with rotation in flux

PITTSBURGH -- Through trades and injuries, the Pirates have a few holes to fill in their rotation. Over the next few weeks, fans should learn a lot more about how the club will go about doing that.

Expect the situation to be fluid, but there are some guys sure to get reps -- including Wednesday’s starter in the Pirates’ 7-3 loss to the Brewers at PNC Park -- and some who are dark horses or September callup candidates.

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In a hectic two days of pitching moves and injury updates, who is out of the Pirates’ rotation for the next two-plus months and who figures to be in? Here’s a quick breakdown.

WHO’S OUT?

LHP Tyler Anderson

Tuesday night was a whirlwind regarding Anderson. Reports early in the day had the left-hander being dealt to the Phillies, but the trade fell through due to a medical issue, per The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal.

However, by the time the calendar flipped to Wednesday, Anderson was shipped to the Mariners for two prospects. But manager Derek Shelton said the lefty, who was on a one-year deal, provided a lot to the club in his short tenure.

“He brought the fact that he’d been there and done that,” Shelton said. “That was important for our group, in terms of how they prepared.”

RHP Chase De Jong

De Jong was struck by a line drive in Arizona on July 20, but he stayed in to finish his start before being placed on the injured list with left knee inflammation the next day. The injury turned out to be even more serious in follow-up examinations.

Director of sports medicine Todd Tomczyk told reporters on Wednesday that De Jong had to undergo surgery to repair the cartilage of his medial femoral condyle in his left knee. He will be out for the remainder of the season, and they hope to have him back for Spring Training.

RHP Trevor Cahill

Cahill has not pitched since June 11, when he went to the injured list with a second flare-up of left calf tightness. However, he will be out for the foreseeable future, as Tomczyk told reporters that the starter/long reliever fractured his foot in a fall on the steps of the dugout in San Francisco on Friday.

No timeline is set for his return as he undergoes more evaluations, but it should be a long stay on the IL -- most likely for the rest of 2021.

WHO’S IN?

RHP Max Kranick

Time will tell how consistently Kranick will get opportunities going forward, but the Pirates have made it clear that he’s someone on their radar, and in the short term, he’s the most likely option to get a few starts in a row.

The club’s No. 26 prospect per MLB Pipeline made his fourth start in the Majors on Wednesday, when he was charged with six runs in five-plus innings. But he’s been able to show an advanced ability to command his pitches and learn from earlier outings, so he should get more looks -- whether that be as a sixth man or a regular fifth starter for the next few weeks.

“That stuff is out of my control,” Kranick said. “I’m just going to show back up to work tomorrow. … Just continue to build off some good stuff and move forward.”

LHP Steven Brault

Brault is inching closer to a return from his rehab assignment after he was out of game action for more than three months with a left lat strain. He’s made three starts in the Minors, and Tomczyk said he should make at least one more at Triple-A Indianapolis, then they’ll reassess. Expect him to either start or piggyback with another starter come August if all goes well.

RHP Mitch Keller

It would be hard to imagine Keller, who recorded a 7.04 ERA in 12 games with the Pirates this season, won’t get another shot at some point this season. For now, the former No. 1 prospect is still at Triple-A, where he’s having some issues with his command, affording 13 walks in 28 innings and nine over his past 13 1/3 innings.

RHP Miguel Yajure

Yajure is on the Minor League 60-day injured list, but he’s in the upswing of his progression. Tomczyk said that Yajure has begun a bullpen progression, which puts him close to getting back into game action. He’ll have to build up innings, but the Pirates’ No. 12 prospect per MLB Pipeline could be back to getting Major League looks by the end of August.