As spring training nears its end, opportunities are arising for left-handed options out of the Pittsburgh Pirates bullpen.
To say that spring training has been exciting for those who follow the Pittsburgh Pirates would be a huge understatement. This spring has been full of position battles and questions surrounding top prospects and players battling for a spot on the Pirates Opening Day roster. One of the hottest topics of the spring has been the battle for a spot on the Pirates pitching staff, whether it be in the rotation or the bullpen.
With five days remaining until Opening Day at PNC Park, opportunities have opened up for a couple of left-handed options in the Pirates bullpen including Kyle Lobstein and Cory Luebke. Recent developments including a trade, a decision regarding the starting rotation, and an injury to a key member of the bullpen have made this battle even more interesting.
Yesterday, the much anticipated announcement was made by Pirates General Manager Neil Huntington that Jeff Locke would be in the Pirates starting rotation to start the season. It was unknown whether Locke, who had a less than stellar spring, was going to make the rotation, especially with the phenomenal spring that Juan Nicasio has had. This particular decision regarding Locke is interesting and good for Lobstein and Luebke because it leaves one less lefty to battle with for a bullpen spot.
With this news, it doesn’t necessarily mean that Nicasio is set for bullpen duty to start the 2016 season. Ryan Vogelsong has also struggled this spring, compiling an 0-2 record with a 6.08 ERA in four appearances. This could mean a door still remains open for Nicasio, who has shown impressive stuff as a starting pitcher, despite spending most of 2015 in the Los Angeles Dodgers bullpen. Expect the loser of this particular battle to end up pitching as a long relief option out of the bullpen to start the year.
As the dominoes continue to fall in the Pirates starting rotation, other factors have made the decisions regarding the Pirates bullpen difficult ones to make.
On Sunday, the Pirates traded left-handed reliever Eric O’Flaherty to the Atlanta Braves for cash considerations. O’Flaherty, who played for the Braves from 2009-2013, was having a stellar spring for the Pirate, posting a 2.89 ERA with two walks and eight strikeouts in 10 Grapefruit League appearances. The trade came as somewhat of a shock to those who follow the Pirates, as O’Flaherty was likely to make the Pirates roster as a left-handed relief option not named Tony Watson.
Yesterday, MLB.com Pirates beat reporter Adam Berry tweeted out other news involving a key member of the Pirates bullpen who is expected to miss some time to start the season due to injury.
Jared Hughes (left lat strain) is "very likely" to begin the season on the disabled list.
— Adam Berry (@adamdberry) March 29, 2016
As you can see, Jared Hughes, who has had some struggles this spring, is “very likely” to start the 2016 campaign on the disabled list with a left lat strain injury, according to Adam Berry. This is a big blow to the Pirates bullpen, but, like the trade of O’Flaherty, it also creates another scenario that opens the door for both Lobstein and Luebke to open the season in the Pirates bullpen.
Even before the trade of O’Flaherty and the injury to Hughes, Lobstein had a very good opportunity to earn a spot in the Pirates bullpen. The 26-year-old has been stellar in five total appearances this spring and has even made three starts as well. In those five appearances, Lobstein has sported a 1-1 record with a 1.64 ERA and eight strikeouts in 11 innings pitched. The left-hander has started 17 of the 20 games that he has appeared in during his two short years in the major leagues, but he has struggled as a starter, posting only six quality starts out of those 17. Lobstein has an opportunity to make an impact out of the bullpen this season, and if he continues to pitch like he has this spring, expect him to do so.
The recent trade and injury news impact Luebke more than Lobstein because it creates an opportunity for him to possibly make the club, at least temporarily until Hughes gets healthy again, without having to compete for a spot.
It was initially thought that Luebke, who has an opt-out clause in his contract, had an opt-out deadline of yesterday, but Berry also cleared that up as well.
GM Neal Huntington said today was not Cory Luebke's opt-out deadline. So, no decision there yet.
— Adam Berry (@adamdberry) March 29, 2016
No decision has been made in regards to the 31-year-old, who has endured Tommy John surgery on two separate occasions. His spring statistics were not very impressive, as he posted an 0-2 record with a 7.94 ERA in five appearances for the Pirates, but he still remains an option as a third lefty out of the bullpen. It seems like Luebke, who got a late start in spring training due to hamstring discomfort, has regained his velocity and proved it in his outing on Sunday against the Orioles, hitting 94 mph on the gun. It may be a risk to have him play a role in the pen, but it may be a risk that is worth taking.
When the Pirates open the season against the St Louis Cardinals at PNC Park on Sunday afternoon, decisions will have been made as to what the starting rotation will look like and what the bullpen will look like without Jared Hughes. I expect the starters to consist of Gerrit Cole, Opening Day starter Francisco Liriano, Jon Niese, Jeff Locke, and Juan Nicasio over Ryan Vogelsong. With Hughes likely out to start the season, I see the bullpen consisting of Vogelsong, Arquimedes Caminero, Neftali Feliz, Tony Watson, Mark Melancon, Kyle Lobstein, and Cory Luebke getting a spot, at least until Hughes makes his return.
Until we see decisions made on this hot topic, I’m sure various opinions will be had by several people who follow Pittsburgh Pirates baseball. Be sure to comment below with your thoughts as we inch closer to the home opener on Sunday afternoon.
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