The Pirates are resting reliever Keone Kela because of his workload this season, particularly the high-leverage innings he pitched before being acquired at the non-waiver trade deadline July 31.
Kela, who saved 24 games for the Rangers this season, has not pitched since Sept. 3, and Clint Hurdle said he would not be available to pitch again Tuesday night against the Cardinals. The right-hander has pitched 52 innings this season, his most since he was a rookie in 2015, and 48 of his 52 appearances have occurred in the eighth or ninth inning.
With Kela unavailable, Edgar Santana pitched the eighth inning Monday night and allowed a go-ahead three-run homer to Matt Adams in an 8-7 loss. Hurdle told reporters Tuesday afternoon at Busch Stadium the Pirates have not decided how long they would rest Kela.
"All of it’s part of the package and the fact there’s all leverage innings this year," Hurdle said. "Everything’s been an eighth or ninth inning. It’s either setting a guy up for a save or, in Texas, it was nothing but saves. We’re just trying to be mindful of his development."
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