PITTSBURGH -- The Pirates have recalled Antwone Kelly and Thomas Harrington, their Nos. 7 and 12 prospects per MLB Pipeline, from Triple-A Indianapolis on Friday. Pittsburgh optioned Hunter Stratton and Cam Sanders as corresponding moves.
The Pirates bullpen was forced to throw six innings on Thursday after starter Mitch Keller went just three. Both Stratton and Sanders pitched in the game.
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“After yesterday, we needed some reinforcements,” Pirates manager Don Kelly said. “And they provide a lot of length out of the bullpen. Just needed to make sure we had some fresh arms out there.”
Kelly made his MLB debut on June 12, throwing 2 1/3 innings and allowing two runs. He was then optioned back to Indianapolis the following day as a corresponding move for Isaac Mattson. Kelly said he didn’t think about going back down after he was originally called up.
Since going back to Triple-A, Kelly has thrown in bulk, pitching six scoreless innings on July 3. He has a 6.14 ERA in 14 2/3 innings. The 5-foot-10 Kelly has a fastball that sits around 97 mph. He has hit 100-plus mph 17 times in 2026 thus far. Kelly represented Team Netherlands in the World Baseball Classic, allowing two runs in three innings.
“[I was] looking up to this moment again, so I had the taste of it. I liked it a lot, so happy to be here,” Antwone said.
Harrington will make his 2026 MLB debut after pitching in three games for the Pirates a year ago. This year in Indianapolis, the 24-year-old has a 6.52 ERA in 58 innings.
Once a starter, Harrington has moved full-time to the bullpen. He was selected 36th overall in the 2022 Draft out of Campbell.
“The biggest thing was figuring out that routine coming out of the bullpen,” Harrington said. “I've been really excited about my breaking balls this year. I feel like they've made a lot of progress, and then really just made some progress with fastball locations over the past month.”
Both Kelly and Harrington will be tasked with helping the Pirates’ bullpen, which has a 4.53 ERA that is fourth worst in the National League.