If an MLB season of some semblance does take place, the Pittsburgh Pirates will be without one of their top pitchers.
The Pirates announced on Wednesday that starting pitcher Chris Archer will be out of competition until 2021 after undergoing surgery that related to symptoms of neurogenic thoracic outlet syndrome.
In 2019, Archer turned in a miserable 3-9 record with a 5.19 ERA and 143 strikeouts in 119.2 innings pitched. His last win came in a June 6th victory over the Atlanta Braves.
In four August starts, Archer compiled a 3.00 ERA with 27 strikeouts across 18 innings. Following an August 20 start vs the Washington Nationals, Archer was placed on the injured list with right shoulder inflammation, effectively ending his 2019 season.
After joining Pirates in a July 31, 2018 trade that sent Austin Meadows, Tyler Glasnow and Shane Baz to the Tampa Bay Rays, Archer pitched to a 4.30 ERA with 60 strikeouts in 52.1 innings pitched. His cumulative 2018 season saw him go 6-8 with a 4.31 ERA and 162 strikeouts in 148.1 innings pitched.
Across parts of eight Major League seasons, Archer is 60-80 with a 3.86 ERA and 1,349 strikeouts in 1235.0 innings. He was an American League All-Star with Tampa Bay in 2015 and 2017.
Due to the absences of Archer and Jameson Taillon (recovering from Tommy John surgery), a thin Pirates rotation will become even thinner. Here is what a potential rotation looks like, with 2019 statistics included:
1) Joe Musgrove (11-12, 4.44 ERA, 157 K in 170.1 IP)
2) Trevor Williams (7-9, 5.38 ERA, 113 K in 145.2 IP)
3) Mitch Keller (1-5, 7.13 ERA, 65 K in 48.0 IP)
4) Chad Kuhl (5-5, 4.55 ERA, 81 K in 85.0 IP - 2018)
*Spent 2019 recovering from Tommy John surgery*
5A) Steven Brault (4-6, 5.16 ERA, 100 K in 113.1 IP)
5B) Derek Holland (2-5, 6.08 ERA, 82 K in 84.1 IP)
Not exactly an ideal rotation. It is safe to say that the presence of both Archer and Taillon will be sorely missed.
Archer has an option that can be picked up following a potential 2020 season, but it is possible that the two-time All-Star has played his last game as a member of the Pittsburgh Pirates.
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