Pittsburgh Pirates: Brandon Cumpton likely to start Thursday vs. Reds
By Matt Shetler
As the Pittsburgh Pirates look forward to their Wednesday night matchup against the Cincinnati Reds, things seem a little clearer as who will get the ball in place of Wandy Rodriguez Thursday afternoon.
Jun 15, 2013; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Brandon Cumpton (58) throws a warm-up pitch in his major league debut against the Los Angeles Dodgers during the first inning at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Right-hander Brandon Cumpton has been scratched from his scheduled start tonight for the Indianapolis Indians, meaning in all likelihood he will get the ball for the Pirates tomorrow at PNC Park.
Cumpton is a wise choice. After showing that he could pitch at the MLB level in a brief look last season, going 2-1 with a 2.05 ERA in five starts (six appearances), Cumpton is off to a very strong 2014 start.
In three starts with the Indians, Cumpton has gone 2-0 with a 1.42 ERA in 19 innings of work.
In those 19 innings, Cumpton has struck out 11 and walked only three and has allowed a total of only 20 base runners.
Cumpton’s arrival means that Jared Hughes will likely head back down to Indianapolis.
In other roster news, recently DFA’d first baseman Travis Ishikawa cleared waivers and been outrighted to Triple-A Indianapolis by the Pirates.
Ishikawa refused the assignment and has elected free agency instead.
Because he was previously outrighted, he had the option to refuse the assignment.
In 38 plate appearances for the Bucs this season, Ishikawa hit .206/.263/.382 with a homer, a triple and a double.