Contreras joins big-league roster

Underwood injury forces Pirates’ hand

ST. LOUIS — It’s not Oneil Cruz ... but it’s close.

Witha hamstring injury to reliever Duane Underwood Jr., the Pirates are bringing up another top prospect in pitcher Roansy Contreras, sources on Friday told the Post-Gazette .

Contreras, 22, is considered the Pirates’ fifth-best prospect by MLB Pipeline and was slated to start Saturday for ClassAAA Indianapolis.

It’s not clear how the Pirates plan to use Contreras — either as a starter or out of thebullpen.

Contreras made his MLB debutSept. 29, 2021 and tossed three scoreless innings against the Cubs at PNC Park, walking one and striking out four.

The Pirates acquired Contreras from the Yankees as part of the Jameson Taillon tradein January 2021.

In 13 starts with Class AA Altoona and Class AAA Indianapolis last season, Contreras worked 58 innings and had a 2.64 ERA, walking just 13 and striking out 82 across 58innings.

Contreras throws four pitches — a fastball, curveball, slider and changeup and has velocity in the upper 90s.

If the Pirates did choose to use Contreras in a relief role, that would be relatively new for him. He has appeared in 63 games throughout the minor leagues, 60 of them as a starter.

Contreras pitched for Peoria in the Arizona Fall League at the end of last season and allowed five earned runsover 14 innings, walking fourand striking out 18.

The Pirates will not need a corresponding roster move for Contreras because he’s already on the 40-man roster.

Underwood left Thursday’s game in the sixth inning after one batter when he experienced discomfort in his right hamstring.

Whenever his 2021 season was cut short due to a right shoulder injury on Sept. 5, Underwood was leading all major league relief pitchers in innings pitched (72⅔), throwingmore than 1 inning in 29 of his 43 games.

Contreras appeared in two games this spring, both in a relief role, and allowed three earned runs over three innings.