Keller’s short start puts strain on Bucs' beleaguered bullpen

PITTSBURGH -- In need of a victory on Thursday afternoon for a key series win, the Pirates turned to their bullpen for six innings. It’s a position Pittsburgh certainly wouldn’t have liked to find itself in.

The Pirates went on to a 10-5 loss to the Braves as the ‘pen allowed seven runs in six innings. Pittsburgh’s relief corps now has a 4.53 ERA in 2026, ranking 23rd in the Majors. In July, the Bucs’ staff owns a 5.40 ERA.

“Yeah, it's tough right there, the way the 'pen has been this year,” manager Don Kelly said of needing six innings. “... At times, recently, has shown to be better. Just couldn't hold it today.”

The need for competent relief pitching is obvious by now. Thursday’s performance, despite four scoreless innings, added fuel to the fire.

“Yeah, and still more to come,” Pirates general manager Ben Cherington said on Wednesday of the needed bullpen improvements ahead of the Aug. 3 Trade Deadline. “Again, that's going to continue to be both ends of figuring stuff out internally and looking outside, too.”

While some of the Pirates' rotation is beginning to find a groove ahead of the All-Star break, as shown by Paul Skenes’ capturing a win for the first time in almost two months on Tuesday, Jared Jones going perfect through six innings on Wednesday vs. Atlanta and All-Star addition Braxton Ashcraft almost reaching double-digit wins, Mitch Keller still hasn’t returned to All-Star form.

Keller had another poor showing, allowing three runs in three innings before being lifted after only 72 pitches. The start was his shortest of the season, and it moved his ERA to 5.14. With Keller’s minimal outing, Pittsburgh’s bullpen was forced to pitch the rest of the way while trailing, 3-2, after three innings.

Keller said he was surprised at the quick pull after three frames, but it’s not his call. Kelly felt Keller wasn’t sharp in his long 26-pitch third inning, and the best chance of winning with the top of Atlanta’s order coming up again was to turn the ball over to the bullpen.

The Pirates' relievers are already under heavy strain with one of their best, Evan Sisk, hitting the injured list on Saturday with left elbow inflammation. Wilber Dotel nears a return from the IL with a right lat strain and Carmen Mlodzinski was used on Tuesday in a blowout.

Cherington explained on Wednesday that Mlodzinski speaks with pitching coach Bill Murphy after each outing to determine how much recovery he’ll need for the next one. With Mlodzinski throwing only two innings on Tuesday, he went to the bullpen on Thursday after the 38-minute rain delay in the sixth inning. However, Kelly said Mlodzinski was unavailable on Thursday.

Cam Sanders allowed three runs on three walks in two-thirds of an inning right after Keller. Then, with Hunter Stratton cleaning up the mess, Pittsburgh’s bullpen turned in an impressive performance.

Stratton went 1 1/3 scoreless innings before Yohan Ramirez and Gregory Soto combined for three no-hit innings. After allowing a two-run homer the day prior, Dennis Santana pitched the ninth and fell into trouble again.

Santana loaded the bases and, with two outs, allowed a grand slam to break the game open and spoil a previously productive day. Mason Montgomery was warming up at the same time as Santana after both pitched Wednesday and left-handed batters set to come to the plate.

Kelly said if the Pirates had the lead or were tied, he would have gone to Montgomery. Though he decided not to “chase.”

“It did not work out,” Kelly said. “Santana has been throwing the ball better. I know that he gave up a home run [Wednesday night], and we need other guys, too, to step up and get some outs. We can't continue to go to the same guys the whole time. We need other guys to step up, and I think that we have pitched better of late in the bullpen. Tough when you lose a game like this that you're right there.”

There are still internal options. Hard-throwing right-hander Antwone Kelly could receive another promotion soon after throwing six scoreless innings for Triple-A Indianapolis against Omaha last Friday. He’s scheduled to pitch this Friday against Toledo.

Six innings is a tall task for any bullpen, let alone one as currently struggling as Pittsburgh’s. But in facing Atlanta, a team likely to find itself in the postseason with the best bullpen in the National League, it’s a near-impossible task.