Pittsburgh Pirates fans may have to wait a little longer to see Paul Skenes pitch for their team this season, as manager Derek Shelton said he is not ready to be called up yet.
Shelton said Monday that Skenes' next start is “scheduled” for Triple-A Indianapolis this weekend and that they haven't talked about him starting for the Pirates “in any way.”
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Indianapolis Indians pitcher Paul Skenes (10) talks with Indianapolis Indians catcher Yasmani Grandal (14) between innings during a Milb baseball game between the Buffalo Bisons and the Indianapolis Indians on April 30, 2024 in Victory Field in Indianapolis, IN. (Jeffrey Brown/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
“Trying to live in a speculative world and everyone trying to figure out what's going to happen. That's investing time and energy into something we shouldn't be focusing on,” Shelton added, via Audacy's 93.7 The Fan.
Skenes' girlfriend, LSU gymnast Olivia Dunne, thrilled Pirates fans on Sunday when she posted a Skenes Pirates jersey on her SnapChat account.
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But when the hype train began, his start in Triple-A Indianapolis didn't go exactly as planned. He allowed his first home run in the minors to Will Robertson of the Buffalo Bisons. He ended up striking out four batters and was retired after 66 pitches.
Paul Skenes #30 of the Pittsburgh Pirates warms up during a spring training game against the Baltimore Orioles at Ed Smith Stadium on February 29, 2024 in Sarasota, Florida. (Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
“We talked about checking boxes, and today would be another one,” Pirates general manager Ben Cherington told the station on Sunday. “It's the first time, as a professional… that he's going to start a game on four days' rest. It may not seem like a big deal, but it's the first time it's going to happen, and it's another case.” He’s been checking almost every box since the season started and responding incredibly well.”
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Indianapolis Indians pitcher Paul Skenes (10) throws the pitch home during a Milb baseball game between the Buffalo Bisons and the Indianapolis Indians on April 30, 2024 at Victory Field in Indianapolis, IN. (Jeffrey Brown/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Skenes was the No. 1 pick last year after going 13-2 with a 1.69 ERA and 209 strikeouts while leading LSU to the NCAA title.
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