PITTSBURGH -- A specific adjective came to Pirates catcher Henry Davis’ mind when thinking of Wilber Dotel's relief performance on Monday afternoon. Fearless.
“If you have control on the mound when you're pitching, there's no reason to be scared on the mound or have fear,” Dotel said through interpreter Stephen Morales postgame.
The 23-year-old from Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, bridged the gap for Pittsburgh in its 2-1 win over the Cubs at PNC Park, while earning his first MLB victory in the process. In just his fifth Major League appearance -- and second since a promotion from Triple-A Indianapolis on May 20 -- Dotel held Chicago down by striking out four and allowing just one hit across three scoreless frames in the sixth, seventh and eighth innings.
While Pittsburgh’s 4.05 bullpen ERA ranks 10th in the National League, Dotel’s ERA has now dwindled to 1.69 over 10 2/3 innings.
“Three innings out of the bullpen in that situation, and such a close game, mixed speeds, threw strikes. He was tremendous,” manager Don Kelly said of Dotel.
For a squad searching for answers in relief, Dotel solves a multitude of issues. The Pirates' No. 11 prospect, per MLB Pipeline, has moved from the starting rotation in the Minor Leagues to the bullpen in the Majors. His stretched-out arm allows Kelly and Pittsburgh’s staff to deploy Dotel as a bulk-innings guy. Dotel said postgame that he understands his role is to be an “innings eater” with the Pirates.
Dotel entered Monday’s contest in the bottom of the sixth inning in a 1-1 game after starter Carmen Mlodzinski allowed five hits and three walks in five innings. Dotel gave up a single to Moisés Ballesteros with two outs, but the designated hitter did not advance.
In the seventh, Dotel retired the side and order and did it with style, winning a nine-pitch battle with Cubs leadoff hitter Pete Crow-Armstrong. As Dotel trotted out for the top of the eighth inning -- following Davis’ go-ahead homer in the bottom of the seventh -- he didn’t lose his stride, striking out Michael Conforto with a changeup to retire his final seven batters in order.
Dotel passed the baton off to Gregory Soto, who closed out the game with his sixth save and the scoreless day for Pittsburgh’s bullpen.
Dotel’s fastball topped out at 98.5 mph, but it was his slider and changeup that fooled Chicago’s lineup. He used the slider twice for a putaway pitch, while mixing in the changeup and fastball once each.
Entering Monday’s outing, Dotel’s opposing barrel percentage was just 4.5%. The slider was used just 8% of the time in his first four outings; however, he used it 13 times out of 41 pitches (31.7%) against Chicago.
“The velo has turned it up. I think the offspeed offerings continue to get better. Being able to throw them for strikes,” Kelly said. “He also got some chase on them beneath the zone, and he's got the fastball velocity that we all see. But to be able to throw it in the zone where he wants to throw it, and then be able to mix in the offspeed, I think has been a big key.”
Dotel received his first big league callup in mid-April, coming out of the bullpen three times and logging a 1.35 ERA. He was optioned and worked out of the bullpen with Indianapolis, pitching two or more innings in all three appearances.
Though Dotel achieved success in his early MLB opportunities, Kelly sees an added confidence in the young right-hander. Dotel feels the same.
“Confidence, it's a strong one right now,” Dotel said. “It all comes from my hard work, and just to work hard, and then trust my abilities.”
Pittsburgh has been toying around with its ever-evolving bullpen through the first two months of the season. With Dotel in the mix, it’s looking like the Pirates have a new reliable piece to the puzzle.