Pittsburgh Pirates ace Paul Skenes will not take the mound for his scheduled start Sunday against the Boston Red Sox, with the team instead pushing the outing to Wednesday against the Detroit Tigers.
Manager Don Kelly told reporters the decision is not injury-related and that they wanted to give him more rest.
The announcement came after the Pirates’ 4-0 loss to the Red Sox on Saturday night at PNC Park. Reliever Lake Bachar is set to start the series finale in place of Skenes, marking a bullpen game for Pittsburgh.
Skenes, the reigning National League Cy Young Award winner, said he had been fully prepared to pitch Sunday after throwing his usual bullpen session. He indicated the conversation with the coaching staff took place upon his arrival at the ballpark Saturday.
“Ultimately, it was Donny’s decision, but we had talked about it. And like I said after the last start, I’ll have his back on whatever that is. I don’t necessarily disagree with the decision either,” Skenes said.
The 24-year-old right-hander has compiled a 9-11 record with a 3.88 ERA across 25 starts this season. He has thrown 134 2/3 innings, striking out 166 batters while posting a 1.12 WHIP. Those numbers represent a step back from his previous two seasons, when he posted sub-2.00 ERAs and earned Rookie of the Year honors in 2024 before capturing the Cy Young in 2025.
Skenes’ most recent outing Tuesday in Miami lasted just five innings and 65 pitches. He allowed one earned run on five hits with one walk and four strikeouts. His four-seam fastball averaged 95.7 mph in that start, down notably from his season average of 96.8 mph and well below the 98.2 mph mark from 2025.
Kelly emphasized the extra rest would benefit Skenes while also providing additional recovery time for other members of the rotation. The Pirates sit at 60-65, fifth in the NL Central and 16.5 games behind the first-place Milwaukee Brewers.
“Giving Paul more rest,” Kelly said. “He was ready to go. Feel like it’ll give him a few more days to recover. It’ll give other guys on the back side more time as well.”
Skenes acknowledged that the additional downtime should aid recovery. He noted that every pitcher deals with physical challenges late in the season and that the move, while not his preference, makes sense in the long term.
“It certainly can’t hurt in terms of recovery, and you add recovery in for anybody and that’s going to help,” Skenes said. “So, kind of wish it weren’t the case that I was starting tomorrow, because that’s something I pride myself on. But in the long run, it’s definitely best to just get some recovery time.”
After strong early-season performances that included a 1.98 ERA through mid-May, Skenes has posted a 5.00 ERA over his past 16 starts. He has allowed 10 home runs in 84 2/3 innings during that stretch, matching nearly the total he surrendered all of last season.
The Pirates have struggled to provide consistent run support and defensive help at times, contributing to Skenes’ win-loss record despite solid underlying metrics earlier in the year. His walk rate has edged upward, and opponents have made harder contact as the campaign has progressed.
Rain is in the forecast for Sunday in Pittsburgh, which may have factored into the timing of the decision. Skenes is expected to pitch on what amounts to extra rest when he faces the Tigers in the finale of that series Wednesday afternoon.
The move also shifts the remainder of the Pirates’ rotation back, providing a broader reset for the staff as the team navigates the final weeks of a disappointing season. Pittsburgh remains mathematically alive in the wild-card race but faces long odds given its current standing.
Skenes has expressed confidence that the extra recovery will help him regain the form that made him one of baseball’s most dominant pitchers over the past two years. He plans to stay ready and continue working between starts, potentially adding a bullpen session before Wednesday.
Kelly has repeatedly stated there is no specific injury concern, noting that Skenes has given the club no indication of physical problems beyond the normal late-season wear that affects most pitchers. The manager has pointed to command issues and the league’s adjustments as larger factors in the right-hander’s recent results than pure velocity decline.
With the regular season entering its final stretch, the Pirates are prioritizing long-term health and effectiveness for their young ace. Skenes remains under team control for several more seasons and represents a cornerstone of the franchise’s future plans.
Bachar, who has worked primarily in relief this year, will handle the first few innings Sunday before handing off to a series of relievers. The 31-year-old owns a 3.97 ERA in limited action and will make his first start for the Pirates.
Fans who had anticipated seeing Skenes on the mound for the Sunday afternoon contest will instead wait until midweek. The extra rest could allow the hard-throwing right-hander to approach the Tigers series with fresher arm strength and sharper command.
Skenes has made clear he supports the organization’s approach even if it means missing a turn in the rotation for the first time in this manner during his career. He continues to emphasize recovery and preparation as keys to finishing the year strongly.
The Pirates open a three-game set against Detroit on Monday, with Skenes lined up for the series finale. Whether the additional days off produce a rebound performance remains to be seen, but the club is betting that more rest will help its ace rediscover the dominance that defined his first two major league seasons.
