The Pittsburgh Pirates activated right-handed pitcher Joe Musgrove from the disabled list on Friday afternoon. To make room on the 25-man roster, reliever George Kontos was designated for assignment.
Musgrove had made four minor league starts between Bradenton, Altoona and Indianapolis. He needed to do that to build up his pitch count, which was just under 100 pitches in his final start. Musgrove also threw a simulated game at PNC Park before his first rehab appearance. He missed time this spring with shoulder discomfort, then strained the same shoulder right before the season started. He was activated today to make his season debut at PNC Park against the St Louis Cardinals.
Kontos has been struggling this season. He has a 5.03 ERA and a 6.06 FIP in 19.2 innings over 21 appearances, with a 1.42 WHIP and just nine strikeouts. The Pirates moved him out of his late inning role last week, hoping that would help him get on track, but the results weren’t getting any better.
