The Pittsburgh Pirates have recalled top pitcher prospect Roansy Contreras from Indianapolis, after right-handed pitcher Duane Underwood Jr. was injured during the season opener on Thursday. Underwood was placed on the 10-day injured list with a right hamstring strain.
Contreras was supposed to start for Indianapolis this weekend, but the Pirates announced their rotation for the next five days and he is not in it, so it appears that he will be pitching in relief during his stay in the majors. That could be a short stay if Underwood or any of the other injured pitchers return before rosters are reduced on May 1st, but for right now, Contreras was the only healthy pitching option for the Pirates to recall among their 40-man roster players. Five others were already on the injured list, including two on the 60-day IL.
The 22-year-old Contreras is the third best prospect in the system and the top ranked pitcher. He made his big league debut at the end of 2021 and threw three shutout innings in his only appearance.
