Pittsburgh Pirates general manager Ben Cherington has delayed ace Paul Skenes’ next start until Wednesday to address general fatigue, despite the pitcher’s insistence that he was ready to play. While Skenes faces his most challenging stretch of the season, team officials maintain he is not injured.
Managing Skenes’ Workload Through a Career-Worst Stretch
Paul Skenes is currently navigating the most difficult period of his professional career. After capturing the National League Rookie of the Year award in 2024 and the NL Cy Young in 2025, the 24-year-old pitcher has posted a 9-11 record with a 3.88 ERA this season. His performance has dipped significantly over his past 16 starts, during which he has recorded a 3-9 record and a 5.00 ERA.
Despite these struggles, team leadership remains publicly supportive. General manager Ben Cherington noted that Skenes’ strikeout and walk rates remain consistent with his career norms, even if the stuff
currently lacks its usual dominance. Cherington emphasized that fatigue is a natural consequence of the heavy workload Skenes has carried since his 2023 national title run at LSU.
“This seems relatively usual for me that, given everything [Skenes] has accomplished, like other elite starting pitchers before him, there are gonna be stretches where he’s just grinding a little bit more. That’s not atypical. Our job is to help him get through this period in a way that’s safe and effective for him.”
Ben Cherington, General Manager
The Decision to Push the Sunday Start
The decision to hold Skenes back from his scheduled Sunday start was not unanimous. Both Skenes and the organization acknowledged that the pitcher wanted to take the mound. However, following his last outing in Miami—where he was removed after 65 pitches—manager Don Kelly and the front office determined that an extra few days of recovery would serve the team’s long-term interests.
Ben Cherington reiterated that Skenes had expressed a desire to make his regularly scheduled start and felt capable of doing so.
Instead, the team views this as a grinding
period common for elite pitchers in August. The organization is betting that the extra recovery time will allow their ace to finish the season strong.
Oneil Cruz Nearing Return to the Lineup
As the pitching staff works through fatigue, the Pirates are also monitoring the return of Oneil Cruz. Sidelined since June 7 with fourth and fifth metacarpal non-displaced fractures in his left hand, Cruz has completed a rehab assignment across Double-A Altoona and Triple-A Indianapolis. While team doctors have confirmed the bones are technically healed,
Cherington indicated that residual soreness remains a factor, particularly during the high-impact act of swinging a bat.
The team is taking a cautious approach to his activation, acknowledging that the injury might not feel 100 percent
until the offseason. Cruz was at PNC Park on Sunday for further evaluation to determine if he can handle the rigors of major-league game play.
The Impact of Jake Mangum’s Rise
The return of Cruz presents a strategic challenge regarding playing time for Jake Mangum, who has thrived in the shortstop’s absence. Over his last 63 games, Mangum has posted a .322 batting average with an .811 OPS. Cherington signaled that Mangum has moved beyond his previous role as a fourth outfielder and will remain a key part of the lineup rotation regardless of Cruz’s status.
Injury Outlook for Konnor Griffin and Endy Rodriguez
The organization’s focus on health extends to two other notable prospects. Konnor Griffin is nearing the six-week mark for a sagittal band tear in his left ring finger, a milestone that should allow him to ramp up baseball activities. Meanwhile, the team is also managing the status of Endy Rodriguez. These developments remain central to the Pirates’ late-season roster management as they navigate both immediate fatigue and long-term recovery for their young core.
