Did you expect someone else? Skenes to get Opening Day nod

SARASOTA, Fla. — Paul Skenes returned from the World Baseball Classic on Wednesday. A day later, Pirates manager Don Kelly informed the reigning National League Cy Young Award winner what pretty much everyone has expected: Yes, Skenes will start on Opening Day.

After telling Skenes, Kelly told everyone else during his afternoon media availability in advance of a game against the Orioles at Ed Smith Stadium.

The Pirates will play the Mets at Citi Field on Thursday, March 26, at 1:15 p.m. ET in a game that will be televised on NBC/Peacock. Freddy Peralta will get the ball for New York.

"I’m ready to go," Skenes said. "Getting back to camp’s nice. Nice that we have a few days left. But it’s go time."

Skenes will start once more this spring: Saturday against the Blue Jays at LECOM Park. During and after that, it'll be business as usual for Skenes, who already seems plenty locked in.

"There’s nobody who pushes Paul harder than Paul pushes Paul," Kelly said. "He’s always working to get better, to be the best. Really pumped to have him on the bump game one."

While Skenes admitted that the honor is special, his excitement extends far beyond Opening Day, a start that last year he described as one of 32. It’s nothing against the event itself. Skenes is certainly a baseball fan. But his focus never drifts.

Which is why, for Skenes, Thursday’s announcement was more about the next thing, starting the regular season and continuing what the Pirates have built in Spring Training.

"Just want to be grinders, play the game the right way and play hard," Skenes said. "I’ve heard about what it’s been like the past 2 1/2 weeks. I was definitely encouraged by what I saw before I left.

"In 24 hours since I've returned to Bradenton, I’m seeing all the right things. But we’ll see. We’ll see come Opening Day. We’ll see a month into the season, two months into the season.

"Just gotta come out playing hard, playing the game the right way and attacking. I think if we do that, we’ll be in a good spot."

It’s the second consecutive Opening Day start for Skenes, who went 10-10 with a 1.97 ERA in 32 starts last season, walking 42 and striking out 216 in 187 2/3 innings of work.

Nobody in the NL had a lower ERA than Skenes, while only two pitchers piled up more strikeouts. Twenty-one of Skenes’ starts lasted at least six innings, while only six pitchers had more than his 20 quality starts.

Last year on Opening Day, Skenes delivered 5 1/3 innings of two-run ball during a 5-4 loss to the Marlins at loanDepot park, walking two and striking out seven.

After Saturday’s tuneup — plus two more team games — Skenes and the Pirates will begin this season anchored by a young and exciting starting rotation.

Bubba Chandler and Braxton Ashcraft are expected to play important roles. Carmen Mlodzinski, Hunter Barco, Mike Clevinger and José Urquidy have been jockeying for the No. 5 starter spot, while the bullpen will provide another strength.

The Pirates should have the pitching. The biggest question is the offense, and whether the offseason moves made will supply enough of it. But that sort of thing won’t be answered on one afternoon in New York. It’ll be learned over time.

Hence why Skenes, one of the least surprising Opening Day starters in Pirates history, just wants to get this thing started.

"An Opening Day start doesn’t mean anything if you lose," Skenes said. "Just want to go out and set the tone."

Reacting to loss
Skenes also discussed a little about the World Baseball Classic, where Team USA finished second. Skenes was clearly unhappy with the Americans coming up short, though he said it could add fuel to the fire for the next international competition.

"Not good enough," Skenes said when asked to describe the WBC experience. "Obviously want to win. But in terms of being around the guys, it was pretty dang cool being in that clubhouse. Just have to finish the job."

Injury updates
Edward Florentino (MLB Pipeline’s No. 50 prospect) suffered a left ankle injury in mid-February, Pirates director of sports medicine Todd Tomczyk said Thursday. The outfielder/first baseman has returned to full baseball activities, though he will miss Friday’s Spring Breakout game as a result. Tomczyk said the Pirates project Florentino to return to games in late March/early April.

Chris Devenski was diagnosed with a concussion after he was hit in the head by a line drive on Friday, March 14 in Lakeland. However, Tomczyk described Devenski as “in a good spot,” and said the right-hander was expected to play catch at some point on Thursday.

“We’re very fortunate for the support the Lakeland ambulance and the Detroit Tigers medical staff and physicians provided for Chris with that horrific injury,” Tomczyk said. “Shoutout to our own medical staff, [associate head athletic trainer] Joel Harris and [minor league athletic training coordinator] Casey Lee, who were on site and helped support Chris.”

Jared Jones remains on track for a late May/early June return to game action for the Pirates, Tomczyk said. After a prescribed “de-load” week, Jones is back to throwing sides and is expected to throw live batting practice early next week.

Jack Brannigan (Pirates’ No. 25 prospect) has resumed full baseball activities after suffering a nasal fracture and other injuries on a bad hop earlier this spring. Brannigan is expected to return to games in late March, Tomczyk said.

Roster move
The Pirates before Thursday’s game optioned Endy Rodríguez to Triple-A Indianapolis. It didn’t come as a huge surprise, as Rodríguez has played just 36 games (at all levels) over the past two seasons because of injuries. He needs more at-bats than would be offered as a backup catcher. In 10 Spring Training games, Rodríguez performed well, hitting .308 (8 for 26) with a double, two home runs and six RBIs.