Why the Pirates pushed back Paul Skenes' next start until Wednesday

Paul Skenes has dealt with plenty of firsts in his Major League career, from milestones to the National League Rookie of the Year and the NL Cy Young Award last season. This is one he probably could have done without: pitching on eight days rest because he had a start pushed back.

After Skenes was scheduled to start the series finale Sunday against Boston, Pirates manager Don Kelly announced late Saturday that the decision had been made to bump Skenes' next start to Wednesday.

Instead of Skenes, Lake Bachar will start a bullpen game.

"Giving Paul more rest," Kelly said. "He was ready to go. Feel like it’ll give him a few more days to recover. It'll give other guys on the back side more time as well."

Skenes, who's 9-11 with a 3.88 ERA in 25 starts this season, said the conversation occurred after he threw his normal day-before bullpen Saturday. He also understood the logic after what happened in his last start.

Skenes worked just five innings and threw 65 pitches this past Tuesday in Miami, exiting after allowing one earned run on five hits with one walk and four strikeouts.

It was an uncharacteristically short start and seemingly led the Pirates to explore this option.

"Ultimately it was Donnie’s decision," Skenes said. "I’ll have his back on whatever that is. I don’t necessarily disagree with the decision, either."

In the Miami outing, Skenes’ four-seam fastball averaged 95.7 mph, down 1.2 from his season mark. He also allowed eight hard-hit balls (95+ mph), and his four-seamer netted an average exit velocity of 100.0.

After back-to-back eight-inning, scoreless starts in early May, Skenes’ ERA sat at 1.98. But his past 16 starts have been a struggle, the right-hander posting a 5.00 ERA while allowing 10 home runs in 84 2/3 innings.

Skenes has managed a 3.29 FIP during that time, but concerns about fatigue are apparently real and too much to ignore. For the season, Skenes’ four-seamer has averaged 96.8 mph, down from 98.2 in 2025 and 98.8 when he was rookie.

Along with the radar gun stuff, Skenes has also lacked precision with his pitches, leading to extended at-bats, high pitch counts and more hard contact than he's ever seen at this level.

Asked if he's had more trouble recovering between starts this season, Skenes said it's been similar to his first two years.

"Probably no more than either of the other seasons I’ve pitched in so far," Skenes said. "Everybody deals with stuff. Going through a full Major League season and not dealing with stuff, I don’t know if there’s ever been anyone who’s done that. Everybody’s tired. Everybody’s grinding. We just have to keep going."

The extra rest will allow Skenes to adjust his preparation, though he said he anticipated throwing off a mound at least once during a modified bullpen.

Skenes also believes he could start Sunday, though he believes the extra rest could help in the long run.

"Kinda wish it weren’t the case," Skenes said. "[Starting on turn] is something I pride myself on. But in the long run, it’s definitely best to get some recovery time."

Kelly added that Skenes has given no indication that anything is injury related. However, the Pirates apparently want to explore a different avenue to help Skenes recapture his previous form.

"This will probably the first time I’ve ever pitched on an eight-day rotation," Skenes said. "It certainly can’t hurt in terms of recovery. You add recovery in for anybody, it’s gonna help."

Jason Mackey: Jason.Mackey@pirates.com and @JMackey_PGH on X.