One inning at a time
Pitcher Chad Kuhl will work out of the bullpen after missing time. Page
ST. LOUIS — The role to which Chad Kuhl returned is not the same one he left.
The Pirates activated Kuhl, who had been on the COVID-IL since Aug. 2, before Friday’s game against the Cardinals at Busch Stadium, and manager Derek Shelton said Kuhl would be available out of the bullpen, at least for now.
“I think we’ll build him back up to start [games],” Shelton said. “Expect him to work out of the bullpen, as of right now.”
It’s certainly a new role for Kuhl, who has started 84 of his 86 MLB appearances. The only ones where he pitched in relief came last season, when Shelton used Steven Brault and Kuhl in a piggyback situation because both were coming off of injuries.
Kuhl previously pitched July 29, when he went 5⅓ innings and allowed three earned runs in a 12-0 home loss to the Brewers.
“I’m expecting to pitch and be able to build back up,” Kuhl said on the field before the game. “I’ve proven that I can start. I’ve proven I can be pretty good as a starter.”
The Pirates did not have to make a corresponding roster move because they optioned Cody Ponce Thursday to Class AAA Indianapolis.
Shifting Kuhl to the bullpen makes some sense because of the time missed, but he also might have been the Pirates’ best starting pitcher whenever he contracted COVID-19.
In his past seven starts, the right-hander pitched to a 2.84 ERA with 35 strikeouts and 14 walks in 38 innings, winning three of his five decisions in those games.
Shelton said the end result here is very much to be determined, likely depending on Kuhl’s success in a relief role, as well as the need for starters and how Kuhl feels physically.
“I think we’ll kind of play it by ear,” Shelton said. “I don’t think we’ve decided what we’re going to use him as [long term] right now. He will pitch out of the bullpen. We could see him in multifaceted roles.”
Talking to Kuhl, it certainly seems as if he wants to remain a starter, not dabble as a reliever. But he’s fine taking this route to get back — for now.
Kuhl said he threw “pretty much every day” while quarantined, alternating between throwing into a net at home and taking the net and a bag of baseballs to an empty park for longer distances. Former Pirates minor league pitcher John Kuchno volunteered to play catch with Kuhl as well.
“The biggest part was just getting back off the mound, getting that feel back,” said Kuhl, who returned by throwing a bullpen session and two simulated games that lasted one-inning each. “I feel good. I feel fresh. Really not much lag.”
Kuhl said he first felt symptoms July 31 — a headache and some nausea. By the next morning, he felt fine. But when the Pirates were tested before leaving for a road trip, Kuhl’s nasal swab came back positive. They tested again the next day — same thing.
The ordeal got really complicated when Kuhl’s son, Hudson, also tested positive for COVID-19, forcing Chad and his wife, Amanda, into a difficult life and childcare situation at home.
“I was fortunate enough,” Kuhl said. “I had minimal symptoms. That was it. I’m glad to be back.”
Park drops
The Pirates began Friday’s game with a change at the leadoff spot, as Shelton turned to Ben Gamel to fill that role. Hoy Park had been getting at-bats there, but Park had gone hitless his previous five games and was dropped to eighth.
Not that leadoff doesn’t have its intricacies, but hitting before the pitcher started a few different conversations Shelton and others had with Park about the role of a No. 8 hitter in the National League.
Park, of course, came over from the Yankees in the Clay Holmes trade and has really only played American League baseball.
“There are a lot of facets to the 8-hole that a lot of people don’t realize,” Shelton said. “We didn’t specifically put Hoy there for that reason, but there are conversations about what happens in that spot.”
Arguably the most important trait of a No. 8 hitter in an NL lineup is patience, with teams often not wanting to give that guy anything to hit because the pitcher (a much easier out) is next. It likely will be a lesson for Park.
Cruz activated
In another roster move, Class AA Altoona activated shortstop Oneil Cruz from the seven-day injured list. Cruz has been out with a right forearm strain. He previously played in a game June 30.
Cruz was one of the best hitters in the Pirates system — and Class AA — when he went down, hitting .289 with a .887 OPS in 43 games, which included 10 doubles, 3 triples, 9 home runs and 29 RBIs.
Curve manager Miguel Perez said this week that Cruz would likely return as a designated hitter at first, then progress into fielding work.