PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – Pirates general manager Ben Cherington touched on a number of topics during his weekly show on 93.7 The Fan and the Pirates Radio Network Sunday, among them if he has had any change of mind in regards to the trade deadline. Plus, what Cherington said of Jared Jones’ rehab and how Paul Skenes will be used in the All-Star Game.
Jones better
The Pirates first rookie spark in the rotation was Jared Jones. The righty won the job in Spring Training and in his first start not only brought an attitude, but struck out 10. He would strike out at least seven in each of his first five career starts. The 22-year-old left his game against St. Louis on July 3 with a lat injury that initially seemed to be minor, but turned into a full shutdown.
Cherington said Jones will rehab at their complex in Bradenton and he will start throwing ‘soon after the All-Star Break’. The Bucs GM said Jones will remain in Florida and build back up there. He will then be moved into minor league games.
“We anticipate and certainly our expectation is that he’s back starting games for us in the major leagues as we keep fighting this thing out into August and September,” Cherington said on 93.7 The Fan and the Pirates Radio Network.
Lefties lurking
While Luis Ortiz and Quinn Priester have made great spot starts, the team expects to get left-hander Bailey Falter back soon. The 27-year-old is 4-7 with a 4.08 ERA in 17 starts this season going 90.1 innings, 28 walks, 61 strikeouts and a 1.20 WHIP. Cherington said Falter will get into some simulated situations during the All-Star Break and ‘should be back soon’.
Having only pitched in four games this year due to left triceps inflammation, left-handed reliever Ryan Borucki will have at least one, and potentially two, more outings in the minors after the All-Star Break and then likely return. Borucki was 4-0 with a 2.45 ERA in 38 outings with the Pirates last year that including a 0.74 WHIP.
Trade deadline
With the Pirates winning five of the last six heading into Sunday’s game, has Cherington changed his thoughts when it comes to the trade deadline at the end of the month?
“Our goals haven’t changed, we are going to continue to look for ways to make the team better,” Cherington said on 93.7 The Fan and the Pirates Radio Network. “Better today, better tomorrow, better at the end of July, better in August and September and certainly better into the offseason and into next year. We just want to keep this thing moving forward. If there are opportunities to do that between now and the end of the July to impact 2024, we are going to go after those. We are talking to teams about different things all of the time.”
Cherington then said it another way, adding he knows what other teams want and are potentially willing to do at this point and will stay on the phone to find an opportunity or opportunities.
“I do believe in the group,” Cherington said Sunday. “It doesn’t mean we are satisfied. We know we need to get better. We know where we need to get better. It’s on me to do that.”
“I believe we have a group of players who are capable of playing good baseball, winning games & keeping us in this thing. We want to do our part to help support that.”
Skenes Tuesday
Saying he’s still processing Paul Skenes being the National League starting pitcher in the All-Star Game, Cherington was low-key on all of the platitudes being thrown at his rookie. He admitted it’s been an amazing start and said manager Derek Shelton and pitching coach Oscar Marin have been in contact with National League All-Star manager Torey Lovullo and his staff as to how much they can use Skenes in the game Tuesday.
“There is a very good respect and connection between the coaching staffs around the league about how those players are going to be deployed and any concerns a team might have,” Cherington said on 93.7 The Fan and the Pirates Radio Network. “The game should be a celebration. The last thing any team wants is for a player to be put in a position where he might he at any risk.”
Cherington didn’t offer how long he would prefer Skenes to pitch. The Bucs general manager said Skenes will start at some point during the homestand starting with the Phillies on Friday, but wouldn’t say what day.
Reynolds respect
The other Pirates representative to the All-Star Game Tuesday in Arlington, Texas, Cherington said when he realized he needed to sign outfielder Bryan Reynolds to a long-term contract.
“I always go back to some of those days late in ’21 and ’22 seasons when obviously we were struggling and losing a lot of games,” Cherington said before the break Sunday. “Those were tough years to live through if you care about the Pirates. I distinctly remember watching our games and watching Bryan’s effort late in those seasons. The effort he played with through the season.”
“Those teams weren’t going anywhere and the effort, the focus. They say who you are when no one is watching. When no one was watching, Bryan Reynolds is still trying to do the right thing and playing the game the right way.”
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