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.

“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 Indianapolis.

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