Contreras hopes stint in bullpen helps 'in the long run'

SEATTLE -- On nine occasions this season, Roansy Contreras began an outing by ascending the steps of a dugout and making the short jog out to the mound, skipping over the chalk baseline on the way there. On Sunday, Contreras’ run out to the mound was farther than normal.

Contrears, a member of the starting rotation since the beginning of the season, made his first relief appearance of the year and pitched two scoreless innings as the Pirates fell to the Mariners, 6-3, in 10 innings at T-Mobile Park. A trip to the bullpen likely wasn’t in the preseason script, but Contreras expressed optimism that his time as a reliever will allow him to course correct.

“It’s going to help me out in many ways to come out of the bullpen in different situations and execute my pitches right away,” Contreras said through team interpreter Stephen Morales. “In the long run, that’s going to help me when I get back to my starting role.”

Contreras certainly stands to benefit from a brief change of scenery given how the last couple of weeks have unfolded. In May, Contreras owns a 5.64 ERA and 6.69 FIP across 22 1/3 innings, totaling the same number of strikeouts as walks (11). In April, by contrast, Contreras had a 3.58 ERA and 2.96 FIP with 24 strikeouts to 12 walks and recorded three consecutive quality starts for the first time in his career.

“We told him and really believe he is a starting pitcher long term,” general manager Ben Cherington said on 93.7 The Fan on Sunday. “That’s what we believe he will be. That’s what we want him to be.”

The 23-year-old isn’t entirely unfamiliar with pitching in relief at the Major League level. Last season, Contreras briefly filled right-hander Duane Underwood Jr.’s role in the bullpen when Underwood landed on the injured list after the first game of the season. In three relief appearances, Contreras allowed three earned runs across 7 2/3 innings with 10 strikeouts to three walks.

Before the Pirates placed Vince Velasquez back on the 15-day injured list with right elbow discomfort, they originally planned to have Contreras temporarily pitch out of the bullpen. With Velasquez back on the injured list, however, Contreras’s stint in the bullpen could last just one game. Contreras is not listed as a probable in the Pirates’ upcoming series against the Giants, but following the off-day on Thursday, Contreras appears in line to start on Friday.

“He was outstanding today,” said manager Derek Shelton. “He came in and the velocity was good. The slider was probably the best we’ve seen it. With Vince going on the IL, I think we’re going to have to sit down and talk about how we’re going to functionally use our rotation now moving forward.”

Much has been made of Contreras’ velocity, which has been noticeably down this season. After having an average four-seam fastball velocity of 95.6 mph last season, Contreras’ average four-seam fastball is down to 94.1 mph this season. On Sunday, his average four-seamer clocked in at 95.9 mph. The last time Contreras had a start in which his average fastball velocity was at least 95.9 mph was Aug. 17, 2022.

“The velocity is a product of hard work,” Contreras said. “I’ve been working on some stuff that’s going to help me out when it comes to my velocity. I think it’s not just because of the short outing, but because of things I’ve been working on to get there.”

Last season, Mitch Keller struggled to begin the year, owning a 6.61 ERA in his first seven starts. He briefly spent time in the bullpen in mid-May, making two long-relief outings, then rejoined the rotation in late May. Keller pitched well the rest of the way, posting a 3.20 ERA in his next 21 starts, a run that paved the way for this year’s early success. Contreras and Keller aren’t one-to-one comparisons by any means, but Keller illustrates how a brief stint in the bullpen can help a struggling starter.

“Mitch is one example, and you can think of a lot of others around the game that have … spent time in a Major League bullpen first or early on in a career to develop or make an adjustment or build a skill and bring that skill back to a starter’s role,” Cherington said. “We see examples of that all over the place. Certainly, Mitch is one of them. The bullpen can be a great place to get better in the Major Leagues, and it doesn’t mean anybody who’s in that role isn’t a starter long term. We certainly believe Roansy is.”