Pirates' Thomas Harrington: Heading back to Triple-A
Rotowire
The Pirates optioned Harrington to Triple-A Indianapolis on Thursday.
Called up from Triple-A on April 1 when the Pirates temporarily expanded to a six-man rotation, Harrington was lit up for six earned runs over four innings while taking a loss in his MLB debut against the Rays. He shifted back to the bullpen following that start and piggybacked Carmen Mlodzinski in Monday's win over the Cardinals, earning a four-inning save while allowing three earned runs. The Pirates still envision Harrington filling a starting role in the long term, so he'll head back to Indianapolis and will presumably re-enter the Triple-A club's rotation this weekend. He could be back with the Pirates in short order, however, as Pittsburgh will begin a stretch of 10 games in 10 days Friday and could bring Harrington aboard for a spot start during that stretch to keep ace Paul Skenes on a five-day rest schedule between starts.
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Pirates' Thomas Harrington: Earns lengthy save Monday
Rotowire
Harrington allowed three runs on four hits and one walk over four innings in Monday's 8-4 win over St. Louis. He struck out five and earned his first MLB save.
After making a four-inning start in his MLB debut last Tuesday against the Royals, Harrington shifted to the bullpen but ended up piggybacking starter Carmen Mlodzinski, who covered five innings before the rookie right-handed finished out the game. Harrington entered with a 4-1 lead and earned the save in the Pirates' four-run win, despite a shaky performance. Harrington has now given up nine earned runs and holds a 7:5 K:BB through eight innings, so he hasn't made a strong case for a more permanent spot in the Pittsburgh rotation just yet. That said, the Pirates have been committed to building in at least five days of rest between starts for Paul Skenes, so Pittsburgh could move back to a six-man rotation that includes Harrington on Friday, when the team begins a stretch of 10 games in as many days.
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Pirates' Thomas Harrington: Potential to piggyback Monday
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Harrington could piggyback Carmen Mlodzinski during Monday's game against the Cardinals, Noah Hiles of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.
Harrington has remained on the Pirates' active roster since his ill-fated major-league debut last Tuesday against the Rays, but the team hasn't revealed concrete plans for his usage. It would make sense for him to follow Mlodzinski on Monday, as Mlodzinski still isn't fully stretched out to start after spending most of the last two seasons as a reliever. Harrington yielded six runs over four innings last week versus the Rays.
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Pirates' Thomas Harrington: Struggles in debut
Rotowire
Harrington (0-1) allowed six runs on seven hits and four walks while striking out two in four innings in a loss to the Rays on Tuesday.
Harrington had some early command issues in allowing three hits and two walks, which led to three runs for the Rays in the opening frame. Another two runs scored off the bat of Brandon Lowe in the fourth inning before Harrington's day came to a close at 90 pitches. The nerves in his debut were certainly visible for the 24-year-old righty, and it's unclear whether his next start will come at the major-league level or back at Triple-A Indianapolis.
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Pirates' Thomas Harrington: Contract selected for MLB debut
Rotowire
The Pirates selected Harrington's contract from Triple-A Indianapolis ahead of his scheduled start against the Rays on Tuesday.
The right-hander will make his MLB debut in Tampa Bay, with closer David Bednar being sent to Triple-A to free up space on the big-league roster. Harrington just missed out on being included in Pittsburgh's season-opening rotation, but he'll still end up making his first start of 2025 in the majors. The 23-year-old split most of 2024 between Double-A Altoona and Indianapolis, and he finished the year with a 2.61 ERA, 0.96 WHIP and 115:19 K:BB across 117.1 innings. Harrington may need to deliver a strong debut in order to receive additional turns through the rotation.
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Pirates' Thomas Harrington: To report to minors camp
Rotowire
Harrington was reassigned to minor-league spring training Monday.
It was reported earlier in the day that Harrington appeared to be on the outside of the Opening Day roster looking in, and the team made the move official Monday evening. Still, the future is bright for the 23-year-old right-hander, who will be in the mix for a mid-season promotion.
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Pirates' Thomas Harrington: Falters in Triple-A debut
Rotowire
Harrington debuted for Triple-A Indianapolis on Sunday after being promoted from Double-A Altoona earlier in the day and struck out four over 5.2 innings while taking a no-decision in Indianapolis' 10-8 loss to Toledo. He gave up five earned runs on six hits and one walk.
Harrington was advanced to the Pirates' top affiliate after he turned in a 2.24 ERA, 1.00 WHIP and 74:10 K:BB in 68.1 innings over 13 outings with Altoona. Though he turned in poor results in his Triple-A debut, Harrington continued his strike-throwing ways, as he found the zone on 52 of his 72 pitches on the afternoon. The 23-year-old righty will most likely finish out the 2024 season with Indianapolis, though it's not entirely out of the question for him to get the call to Pittsburgh if he impresses in his subsequent Triple-A outings.
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Pirates' Thomas Harrington: Dominant at Double-A
Rotowire
Harrington has thrown five-plus innings in eight straight starts for Double-A Altoona, logging a 2.80 ERA, 1.13 WHIP and 47 strikeouts in 45 innings over that span.
Harrington's season numbers are even better, but he wasn't pitching as deep into games early in the season. The 23-year-old righty matched a career high with 11 strikeouts in his most recent start July 10 against Bowie. He has three above-average-or-better offerings (fastball, changeup, slider) and also throws a cutter and a curveball. His 3.5-percent walk rate is the fourth-best mark among Double-A pitchers who have thrown at least 50 innings.
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Pirates' Thomas Harrington: Returns from 7-day IL
Rotowire
Double-A Altoona reinstated Harrington (shoulder) from its 7-day injured list Sunday.
Harrington opened the season on the shelf due to a right rotator cuff strain but has been given the green light to join the Pirates' Eastern League affiliate after one rehab start with Single-A Bradenton. He was sharp over his three-inning start for Bradenton on Tuesday, striking out three while allowing no runs on one hit and one walk.
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Pirates' Thomas Harrington: Starting rehab assignment
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Harrington (shoulder) has been sent to Single-A Bradenton to begin a rehab assignment, Andrew Destin of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.
Harrington has been sidelined since late March with a right rotator cuff strain and is finally ready to pitch in games. The 22-year-old will likely be eventually assigned to Double-A Altoona after finishing the 2023 campaign at Single-A Greensboro.
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Pirates' Thomas Harrington: Building back up
Rotowire
Harrington (shoulder) is able to throw three innings in simulated games at the Pirates' spring training complex, MLB.com reports.
Harrington has been sidelined since March 21 by a rotator cuff strain. His timeline to return to official game action is still not set, but he is trending in a positive direction.
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Pirates' Thomas Harrington: Has rotator cuff strain
Rotowire
Harrington was diagnosed with a right rotator cuff strain Thursday , Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.
Harrington will be shut down from throwing for 2-to-3 weeks before being re-evaluated. The 22-year-old pitching prospect is likely headed to Double-A Altoona, once healthy.
