Mitch Keller will be the Pittsburgh Pirates’ starting pitcher Tuesday night in Dodger Stadium, but he won’t necessarily take a regular spot in the rotation.
Speaking on his radio show on KDKA-FM, Pirates manager Derek Shelton said Keller’s role on the pitching staff “will continue to stay in flux to try to find the best situations for Mitch.”
Keller made seven starts at the outset of the season and came out of that stretch with an 0-5 record and 6.61 ERA while batters hit .293 against him. Tuesday’s start will be his first since May 13 when he allowed five hits and five runs in 4 2/3 innings against the Cincinnati Reds.
Sent to the bullpen, he made two relief appearances in victories against the Chicago Cubs and Colorado Rockies and lowered his ERA to 6.05. In six innings, he allowed two runs, eight hits and three walks while striking out six. He was the winning pitcher in the victory against the Cubs.
“He handled it great,” Shelton said of Keller’s attitude while working as a relief pitcher.
“We sat down and said, ‘Hey, you’re going to pitch out of the bullpen during this stretch.’ He was fine. He said, ‘Just let me know when you need me to pitch. I’m available.’ He was good with it.”
Shelton indicated Keller could be a starter, reliever and/or assume the piggyback role the rest of the season.
“He may start games. Someone may open for him,” Shelton said.
Meanwhile, Keller must deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers. The Dodgers are tied with the New York Yankees for the best record in MLB (33-15, but 1-3 against the Pirates). They are hitting .253 as a team (fifth in the majors), with 58 home runs (tied for sixth).
Shelton said Keller’s “thought process” will be to attack the hitters.
“This is a good lineup we’re facing. That’s a really obvious statement, but it’s one you have to attack because they do not swing at balls,” he said. “They are very selective, very patient. For Mitch to be effective, he has to make sure he goes right after that.”
Keller remains an important player in the Pirates’ plan, Shelton said.
“(Keller) and other people need to be effective and consistent for us to continue to grow and build what we’re trying to do,” he said.
NOTE: Altoona Curve right-hander Mike Burrows (3-0) was named Eastern League Pitcher of the Week. In his one start Thursday, Burrows worked a career-long seven innings in his fifth scoreless start of the season, allowing two hits and a walk while striking out a season-high eight in a 5-2 victory at Harrisburg. He leads the Double-A Eastern League in ERA (1.90) and batting average against (.160).
