Underwood’s pending return fits perfectly with deployment system
Given how the Pirates have chosen to deploy their pitchers, the looming return of Duane Underwood Jr. may mean a little more than normal for manager Derek Shelton’s club.
A converted starter, Underwood Jr. should be capable of pitching multiple innings, whether that’s in a hybrid role or as a bridge to established back-end relievers such as Chris Stratton or David Bednar.
Underwood Jr. is currently on the 10-day injured list with a right hamstring strain, an injury he sustained on Opening Day in St. Louis. The right-hander was rehabbing with Class AAA Indianapolis, met up with the MLB club in Cincinnati and was at PNC Park for the start of a three-game series against the Dodgers.
Manager Derek Shelton said Underwood remains on the IL; however, Underwood — who’s unavailable to reporters because he’s on the IL — ran a bunch in the outfield before the game and seemingly isn’t far off from returning.
“I don’t know yet if he’ll be activated or make another rehab appearance,” Shelton said before Monday’s game. “We haven’t made that decision yet.”
Underwood Jr. figures to be an important part of the Pirates bullpen because he profiles like Dillon Peters or Wil Crowe — former starters who’ve found success in a more controlled environment, where they don’t have to see a lineup multiple times.
In 43 games last year, Underwood went 2-3 with a 4.33 ERA in 72 2/3 innings, walking 27 and striking out 65. How valuable was Underwood Jr. before he was lost for the season with right shoulder inflammation?
Underwood Jr. was leading all MLB relievers in innings pitched. He worked more than one 29 times and threw three-plus innings on five occasions. Underwood Jr. was basically the Pirates’ current hybrid role before it formally existed.
“I think he could be used in multiple roles,” Shelton said.
Catching up
Two days after Roberto Perez went on the 10-day injured list with a left hamstring strain, the Pirates were still working through exactly how severe the injury is, though Shelton said Sunday it wasn’t minor and Perez would miss significant time.
Perez was supposed to see another doctor Monday, Shelton said, and the Pirates expect to know more soon.
Barring an outside move, things will be left in the hands of Andrew Knapp and Michael Perez, who started for a second consecutive game Monday after homering in Cincinnati on Sunday.
It’s not ideal, obviously. But the Pirates are hoping to get just enough from both defensively to stay afloat. Any offense they’re able to chip in is pretty much a bonus.
“All the reports we got on him were really good in terms of his energy, the way he’s controlling himself and the game-calling,” Shelton said of Michael Perez. “Now there’s an opportunity here to get a little bit of playing time.”
‘Outhit the level’
Pirates director of coaching and player development John Baker was at PNC Park on Monday and addressed a couple issues during batting practice. One of them was Sunday’s promotion of 2021 first overall pick Henry Davis to Class AA Altoona.
Baker said it had nothing to do with Roberto Perez’s injury and was more so tied to his outstanding start to the season. Davis hit .412 (7 for 17) with a double, two home runs and seven RBIs in four games this week. He’s currently second among all South Atlantic League hitters in batting (.341) and OPS (1.035) and is tied for third in RBIs (22) and slugging (.585).
“He outhit the level,” Baker said. “We think he’s ready, and we’re excited to see it.”
That’s a sentiment surely echoed by Davis’ new teammates, most notably an extremely talented pitching staff headlined by Mike Burrows, Carmen Mlodzinski and — soon — Quinn Priester. Bumping Davis up a level was important so he can build more chemistry with those guys.
“It’s gonna be great,” Baker said. “We have a heck of a pitching staff. A lot of them have performed really well. Some of them hit speed bumps for the first time, which is good. We like to see those guys hit some adversity.
“This is such an exciting pitching group, and it’s time to cement some of those relationships with the guy who’s hopefully catching them in the future.”
Did you know?
The Dodgers and Pirates, linked yet again: Did you know the two teams that squared off Monday at PNC Park are also the only two MLB clubs who have homered three times in one inning this season?
The Pirates did it Saturday against the Reds. The Dodgers went deep three times in the eighth against the Twins on April 13.
Another crazy stat you probably didn’t expect: Pirates leadoff hitters began the day Monday with the best batting average in the National League at .301. Only the White Sox (.336) have been better among all MLB clubs.