Spring training woes continue for Contreras

Pitcher’s location, velocity woeful vs. Blue Jays

DUNEDIN, Fla. — When discussing what the Pirates want and need to see out of Roansy Contreras, it’s not stuff. The fastball velocity, at least prior to his start Wednesday, has returned. His slider has been very good, and his curveball and changeup effective enough.

The issue, manager Derek Shelton explained before Contreras pitched against the Blue Jays, has been consistency.

In what will surely be one of his final starts before the regular season, Contreras didn’t exactly do much to help the Pirates feel better about his consistency (or lack thereof) during Wednesday’s 10-3 loss at TD Ballpark.

Sure, Contreras seemed to find himself late. Over the final 11 men he faced, he didn’t allow a hit or run and struck out two. One of the walks he issued was because of a pitchtimer violation, not a poorly executed full-count pitch.

At the same time, it’s tough to feel great about how Contreras fared the first time through Toronto’s lineup. The right-hander couldn’t locate his fastball, the velocity was a little down and he struggled to land anything other than the slider.

Contreras walked two of the first three men he faced before Blue Jays first baseman Justin Turner connected on a 1-0 fastball for a three-run home run.

The following inning, Contreras issued another leadoff walk before third baseman Isiah Kiner-Falefa ripped a run-scoring double.

All told, Contreras allowed four earned runs against the Blue Jays and walked six, raising his spring ERA to 7.59. It also brought into question how much the Pirates can possibly trust Contreras with a rotation spot.

On the mound

When talking about Contreras and a rotation spot, he’s in the mix for one of the final two. Along with Bailey Falter, he’s also out of options. Challenging Contreras (and Falter) have been Quinn Priester and Luis Ortiz, along with Jared Jones and Chase Anderson. Eric Lauer has a track record that could eventually put him in this discussion.

Jones has the best stuff of anyone in this discussion. Anderson has produced the best results. It could come down to who’s on the roster and who’s not, which would put Contreras on the team.

But again, if this is the result, it’s hard to see how he gets more than a bullpen role, if that.

At the plate

Aside from Oneil Cruz, who contributed a home run for the fourth consecutive game with his solo blast in the sixth, the Pirates couldn’t get much going against Chris Bassitt, who sat them down in order the first time through. In fact, Pittsburgh struck out five times, produced seven whiffs on 39 pitches and didn’t hit a ball out of the infield.

Bassitt can be a tough atbat because of not only an effective sinker but also a slow curve that averaged just 69.1 mph against the Pirates, a looper that’s somehow hard to detect coming out of his hand.

The second time through, Henry Davis stayed hot and cracked a two-out double. Jake Lamb, who entered the game 5 for 13 (.385) with a double, home run and four RBIs in his last five games, added another two-bagger to open the fifth.

In the field

The Pirates used a unique defensive alignment, starting Alika Williams at third base and Lamb in right. Both moves were made intentionally as they decide whether either warrants a spot on the roster.

Up next

Marco Gonzales is expected to start Thursday’s MLB game against the Orioles.