MLB Player News

Glasnow was sent down to Triple-A Indianapolis on Saturday.

Just a day after allowing six earned runs on 10 hits over four innings of work against Miami, Glasnow finds himself headed to Indianapolis. The 23-year-old has had a rough go in 2017, posting a 7.45 ERA and 1.91 WHIP over 12 starts. The Pirates will push Chad Kuhl to Glasnow's scheduled start on Wednesday while welcoming back Jameson Taillon from his rehab Monday.

Wacha picked up his third win on the season Friday, allowing two runs on five hits over six innings of work against the Phillies. He had two walks and two strikeouts.

Despite putting up a season-low in strikeouts, Wacha did enough to produce a nice night against Philadelphia. It was also the first time since May 19 he pitched past the fifth inning, as he had struggled, allowing 16 runs over 10.1 innings in his previous three starts.

Teheran allowed one run over six innings on four hits and three walks, with three strikeouts in Friday's no-decision against the Mets.

It's good to see Teheran limit the damage this time out. Due to all of his inconsistencies this season, the right-hander's ERA currently sits at an alarming 5.08 and he only has 54 strikeouts in 72.2 innings.

Glasnow (2-6) surrendered seven runs (six earned) on 10 hits over four innings while striking out only one in Friday's 12-7 loss to the Marlins.

He served up multiple homers for the second straight start, and there have been few signs of progress from the 23-year-old through his 12 outings this season. With Jameson Taillon (groin) set to return next week, the Pirates could use that as an excuse to send Glasnow back to Triple-A Indianapolis to try and get himself straightened out, but if he remains in the rotation his next start will likely come Friday at home against the Cubs.

Worley (0-2) gave up four runs on six hits and two walks over 3.2 innings while striking out two Friday but didn't factor into the decision in a 12-7 win over the Pirates.

The Marlins' offense bailed him out, but this was the second straight start in which Worley failed to get out of the fourth inning. With Justin Nicolino (blister) and Tom Koehler (shoulder) both possibly returning to action over the next few days, Worley's 7.27 ERA and 1.50 WHIP make him a strong candidate to get bumped from the rotation.

Marquez (4-3) allowed two runs (one earned) on two hits and three walks while striking out five over three innings to take a no-decision in Friday's 5-3 win over the Cubs.

After getting an extra day of rest between starts due to a minor thumb bruise, Marquez labored through 80 pitches (49 strikes) but was able to avoid too much damage despite his control issues. The 22-year-old will take a 4.44 ERA into his next start Wednesday on the road against the Pirates.

Manager Clint Hurdle said Taillon (groin) is expected to rejoin the starting rotation early next week, Stephen J. Nesbitt of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

Taillon was able to toss six innings with Triple-A Indianapolis on Wednesday in his final rehab game before rejoining the Pirates. Although he allowed five runs, he struck out nine batters and was able to run his pitch count up to 97, clearing the way for his return. It's unclear who he will replace in the rotation at this point, though Trevor Williams, Tyler Glasnow and Chad Kuhl are all options to get bumped.

Nicasio will share the closer's role with Felipe Rivero moving forward, Stephen J. Nesbitt of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

Back-to-back blown saves ultimately led to Tony Watson's removal from the ninth inning job, allowing Nicasio and Rivero to move in to collect save opportunities. It seems like a full timeshare will be used going forward, although the 30-year-old right-hander's 1.35 ERA on the season and his six straight scoreless outings certainly make a strong case for him to be picked up whether he or Rivero wind up being used more frequently to close out games.

Urias has a 3.09 ERA and 9:5 K:BB in 11.2 innings over two starts since being demoted to Triple-A Albuquerque last month.

Overall in five Triple-A outings this year, Urias has a solid 2.45 ERA, but his 4.9 BB/9 continues to highlight that he's not yet a finished product. The 20-year-old will see additional major-league time at some point this year once he makes progress on controlling his pitches.

Manager Clint Hurdle mentioned Nicasio or Felipe Rivero as a potential replacement for Tony Watson if the team decides to switch closers, the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reports.

Hurdle said that there would be no joint bullpen to close out games. "Most of the time, it's closer-by-committee if you don't have a closer," Hurdle said. "I think we've got two guys to look at, if Watson's not the closer, at least to consider." Rivero has put together one of the strongest relief campaigns in 2017 and is likely the front-runner, but Pittsburgh could continue to deploy him in the highest-leverage situations, leaving him out of the running for saves. Nicasio has one save in seven seasons, while Rivero has three saves in three years.