The Pittsburgh Pirates are turning to two young arms as they try to keep pace in the National League Wild Card race.
According to Pirates insider Alex Stumpf, right-handers Antwone Kelly and Thomas Harrington have been recalled to the majors, giving Pittsburgh its No. 7 and No. 12 prospects, per MLB Pipeline, before the MLB Draft. Kelly has one MLB appearance this year, and Harrington is set for his 2026 debut in the big leagues.
The numbers show why the Pirates are looking for more than just a quick fix. Kelly has worked in 17 games this season, going 4-5 with a 4.85 ERA and 54 strikeouts.
Harrington has appeared in 20 games and owns a 1-5 record with a 6.52 ERA and 56 strikeouts. In the majors, Harrington is 0-1 in three games with a 15.58 ERA, while Kelly’s big-league ERA sits at 7.71 in one start.
Pittsburgh’s pitching situation is still very much in flux, and the bigger move may be coming later. The trade deadline is being talked about as the most likely avenue for help, and the Pirates are also considered a candidate to trade their Competitive Balance Rounds A and B picks for a pitcher during the 2026 MLB Draft. The most valuable of those picks would be No. 34 overall, with a value of $2,897,400.
The club also has the fifth overall pick in the first round, another piece that could factor into how it builds out the roster.
Even with Konnor Griffin shut down by injury, Paul Skenes delivered a bounce-back that helped steady the Pirates at a time they needed it. Pittsburgh hasn’t been as scorching as it was early, but it remains in the mix and is still viewed as a Wild Card contender.
There’s also a different feel around the clubhouse than there has been in past years, and that could push the front office to act quickly. For now, the recalls of Kelly and Harrington give the Pirates more options. But they may not be done yet.
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