Pirates Push Paul Skenes' Start Back 3 Days for Extra Rest
Updated
Updated · MLB.com · Aug 17
Pirates Push Paul Skenes' Start Back 3 Days for Extra Rest
3 articles · Updated · MLB.com · Aug 17
Summary
Wednesday is now Paul Skenes' next start after Pittsburgh scratched him from Sunday and lined up reliever Lake Bachar for the Red Sox finale.
Seven days of rest drove the move, Don Kelly said, with no injury involved; rain in Sunday’s forecast may also have influenced the decision.
65 pitches ended Skenes' last outing Tuesday in Miami, and his average four-seam velocity has dipped to 96.8 mph from 98.2 in 2025.
3.88 is Skenes' ERA after two sub-2.00 seasons and a 2025 NL Cy Young, while he said the season’s mental grind has felt different even though he feels physically fine.
60-65 is Pittsburgh’s record after Saturday’s 4-0 loss to Boston, leaving the Pirates without their ace for a rubber match as they sit five games under .500.