Pittsburgh Pirates manager Derek Shelton said right-hander Joe Musgrove has been scratched from Sunday’s start against the Detroit Tigers with right ankle soreness.
“Just in his last side session, he felt a little soreness in his ankle, and obviously with where we’re at and what’s going on, we are not risking anything,” Shelton said. “It’s nothing overly concerning. I’d say we’re being cautious. And Joe wanted to make the start, but we decided against it just with where we’re at as a team and we’re now making sure.”
The Pirates are 3-12, having lost nine of their past 10 games. Their scheduled series at St. Louis is in jeopardy because of a covid-19 outbreak on the Cardinals. Musgrove is 0-3 with a 6.75 ERA in three starts this season.
Lefty Steven Brault will take Musgrove’s place, making his third start of the season. Brault pitched two scoreless innings in the home opener against Milwaukee and three perfect innings at St. Louis but failed to record an out in allowing four runs on three hits and three walks in relief in the fifth inning of a 17-13 loss to the Tigers on Friday night.
