24 Chris Archer SP

Archer underwent surgery Tuesday to relieve symptoms of neurogenic thoracic outlet syndrome and has been ruled out for the 2020 season.

Archer wasn't known to be dealing with any physical concerns during spring training before MLB suspended its season in mid-March, so the assumption is that his thoracic outlet symptoms are related to the right shoulder discomfort he experienced last August. The Pirates are optimistic that Archer will make a full recovery from surgery before the 2021 season, but his rehab will be worth tracking throughout the winter and during spring training next year. It's possible that Archer could find himself in a different uniform next season, as his contract contains a pricey $11 million team option for 2021 that the Pirates could buy out for just $250,000.

Archer hurled two scoreless innings in his spring training debut Friday, allowing one hit and one walk while striking out four against Toronto, DK Pittsburgh Sports reports.

Archer was not only encouraged by his results, but also by his health. "I felt really good about what I accomplished today," he said. "Most importantly, I walked away healthy. I'm really happy about that." The righty had previously been bothered by neck tightness. He's in competition with Joe Musgrove for the team's Opening Day assignment in Tampa Bay on March 26.

Archer (neck) has been confirmed as the starting pitcher for Friday's spring game against the Blue Jays, according to Adam Berry of MLB.com.

It was announced Thursday that Archer would take the ball Friday for the first time this spring, and the Pirates' lineup reveals he will do just that. Given he's a couple weeks behind his fellow starters, It's unlikely Archer goes more than a inning or two in Friday's contest.

Archer (neck) is scheduled to make his spring debut Friday, Rob Biertempfel of The Athletic reports.

It has been nearly two weeks since Archer was scratched with a stiff neck, but he is now on the verge of taking the ball for the first time this spring. While he is a bit behind the rest of his fellow starting pitchers, the Pirates have not ruled him out for Opening Day.

The Pirates are expected to have a decision on how they are going to proceed with Archer (neck) on Thursday or Friday, DK Pittsburgh Sports reports.

Manager Derek Shelton gave no update on Archer following his throwing of live batting practice Monday. The team has already lost one potential starter, Steven Brault (shoulder), for an undetermined amount of time. Archer still has time to begin the season in the starting rotation, provided he returns within the next week.

Pirates director of sports medicine Todd Tomczyk said Archer's (neck) live batting practice session went well Monday, Nubyjas Wilborn of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

Pittsburgh hasn't laid out the next step for Archer just yet, but he'll presumably be included on the team's pitching schedule over the weekend or early next week. If Archer can avoid any further setbacks with his neck, he should have enough time to prepare for a potential Opening Day starting assignment.

Archer (neck) will throw live batting practice Monday, Rob Biertempfel of The Athletic reports.

Archer was scratched from his scheduled start last Monday due to neck tightness, but his quick return to mound work indicates it's not a serious concern. A good showing Monday could have Grapefruit League games up next for the right-hander.

Archer (neck) played catch Wednesday and will likely throw a bullpen session over the weekend.

He's expected to continue playing catch for the next several days. Barring a setback, he'll then throw the bullpen session. Archer has plenty of incentive to rebound from a disastrous 2019. The better he pitches, the better the chance his value increases and he's dealt to a contender.

Archer was scratched from his start scheduled for Monday with neck tightness.

Archer had been scheduled to make his first start of the spring against the Yankees on Monday, but the Pirates will hold him back as a precaution after he experienced neck tightness. The issue doesn't sound too severe, but the right-hander could be limited over the next few days as a result. Archer missed the end of the 2019 season with a shoulder injury but didn't face any limitations during the offseason.

Archer (shoulder) is fully healthy and shouldn't have any limitations for offseason training, Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

The right-hander missed a sizeable portion of the second half of the season as a result of inflammation with his throwing shoulder, but the team said Monday that he should be "full systems go" for offseason training. Prior to the injury, Archer posted a career-worst 5.19 ERA and 1.41 WHIP in 2019 and will look to bounce back in 2020 after having a normal offseason of work.

Archer (shoulder) will have his $8.25 million option picked up for the 2020 season, Nubyjas Wilborn of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

The move was widely expected despite Archer's struggles in his injury-plagued 2019 season, as he posted a 5.19 ERA with a 143:55 K:BB over 119.2 innings. The 31-year-old's above-average strikeout rate props up his fantasy value, and he'll look to remain healthy and limit run production in 2020.

Archer will likely have his $8.25 million option picked up for the 2020 season, Jon Heyman of MLB Network reports.

The 31-year-old had a down year in 2019 as he battled various injuries, posting a career-worst 5.19 ERA with a 1.41 WHIP over 23 starts. Still, Archer has an above-average fastball velocity and still was getting plenty of empty swings against him this past season. An official decision will need to be made by Monday.

Archer (shoulder) was transferred to the 60-day injured list, John Perrotto of DKPittsburghSports.com reports.

He has already been ruled out for the season, so this is simply a bookkeeping move to open up a spot on the 40-man roster. Archer showed some flashes prior to the injury, logging a 3.00 ERA, 1.28 WHIP and 27 strikeouts in his final 18 innings, but his 5.19 ERA and 1.41 WHIP on the season should result in him being readily available late in drafts in 2020.

General manager Neal Huntington said Sunday that Archer (shoulder) has been shut down for the rest of the season, Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

After landing on the injured list Aug. 21 with right shoulder inflammation, Archer was cleared to resume a throwing program less than two weeks later. Since he started playing catch off flat ground earlier this month, Archer hasn't made enough progress to realistically build up to a starter's workload before season's end, making it an easy decision for the PIrates to shutter him. Archer will wrap up a highly disappointing campaign with a 5.19 ERA, 1.41 WHIP and 143:55 K:BB across 119.2 innings, but the Pirates are still expected to pick up his affordable $8.25 million team option for 2020 and keep him in the fold as a member of the rotation.

Archer (shoulder) is playing catch on flat ground, Adam Berry of MLB.com reports.

Archer has been down since experiencing shoulder soreness just over two weeks ago, but it appears he is feeling good enough to throw again. Archer still has a few steps to complete before he is ready for game action again, but he still has a chance to pitch again for the big club before the season comes to a close.

Director of sports medicine Todd Tomczyk said Archer (shoulder) did some "one-arm plyometric throwing-like activities" Wednesday, Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

While it's not quite the same as picking up a ball and throwing, this is still a step in the right direction for Archer, who has been shut down from throwing since landing on the injured list with shoulder inflammation. He's expected to be re-evaluated in 7-to-10 days.

General manager Neal Huntington said Sunday that Archer recently received a second opinion on his right shoulder, which confirmed the original diagnosis of inflammation, Adam Berry of MLB.com reports.

Huntington said that Archer would be shut down for the next 7-to-10 days before the Pirates reassess the right-hander's status. Based on that timeline, Archer seems unlikely to return from the 10-day injured list until at least mid-September, and he may not have time to re-condition his arm for a starter's workload. Before getting hurt, the 30-year-old posted a career-worst 5.19 ERA in 119.2 innings, but Huntington recently suggested the Pirates are leaning toward exercising Archer's $9 million club option for 2020.

Archer was placed on the 10-day injured list Wednesday with right shoulder inflammation, Adam Berry of MLB.com reports.

He left Tuesday's start after just one inning due to shoulder discomfort. It will cost him at least another start and he may end up missing significant time. The Pirates are out of the playoff hunt, so they will proceed cautiously with Archer, who had actually shown improvement lately. He logged a 3.00 ERA, 1.28 WHIP and 27 strikeouts in 18 innings over his last four appearances. Dario Agrazal, who was recalled in a corresponding move, could take his place in the rotation.

Archer was pulled from Tuesday's game versus the Nationals with right shoulder discomfort.

Archer took the mound for the second inning but fired his first warmup toss high and subsequently exited the contest without another throw. The severity of the issue remains unclear, but given that it's a shoulder injury, the 30-year-old seems likely to undergo an MRI, even if it's mostly precautionary.

Archer was removed at the start of the second inning Tuesday with an apparent injury, Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

Archer delivered a scoreless first frame against the Nationals and threw one warmup pitch leading into the second inning, but he appeared to tweak something as the throw went high. He then left the field. More information should be available on the situation as Archer is further evaluated.