PITTSBURGH (AP) —

The Pittsburgh Pirates have decided to promote 22-year-old right-hander Bubba Chandler — baseball’s top pitching prospect — ahead of their game Friday against the Colorado Rockies.

Pirates manager Don Kelly said he's excited to add Chandler to a staff that already includes 2024 NL Rookie of the Year Paul Skenes. Advertisement

“He's going to have an opportunity to earn starts like all of our guys have," Kelly said following a 2-1 win over the Toronto Blue Jays on Wednesday. "Just excited to add him and his stuff. He's going to add a lot to the ballclub.”

Chandler is expected to initially work in a bulk bullpen role. He got off to a hot start in Triple-A this year, but has stumbled lately and is currently 5-6 with a 4.05 ERA in 100 innings pitched this year for India

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