The Pittsburgh Pirates are eagerly awaiting the return of one of their promising rookie pitchers, Wilber Dotel. After a brief stint on the injured list due to a right lat muscle strain, Dotel is set to begin his rehab assignment with Double-A Altoona. He'll be taking the mound against Reading, the Philadelphia Phillies' affiliate, with the first pitch scheduled for 6:30 p.m. at Peoples Natural Gas Park.
Dotel's absence began on June 13, when he was placed on the 15-day injured list. The Pirates have missed his presence on the mound, but the latest developments suggest that his return to the big leagues might be just around the corner-a fortunate turn of events given how such injuries can often lead to extended downtime.
Ben Cherington, the Pirates' general manager, has been optimistic about Dotel's recovery, noting that they caught the injury early. This optimism is shared by Dotel, who first reported discomfort after a challenging outing against the Miami Marlins on June 12, where he allowed four earned runs over 1.2 innings in an 8-3 loss.
That rough patch followed a tough game against the Los Angeles Dodgers on June 9, where Dotel gave up six earned runs without recording an out in the seventh inning. Despite these setbacks, Dotel quickly began his rehab, throwing a two-up, 30-pitch bullpen session on June 23, with the aim of getting back into game action soon.
Returning to Altoona, where he spent the entire 2025 season, Dotel looks to recapture the form that saw him post a 2-3 record with a 4.30 ERA over 60.2 innings. His impressive strikeout-to-walk ratio and ability to keep hitters to a .225 batting average demonstrate his potential as a valuable asset to the Pirates' bullpen.
Dotel burst onto the MLB scene with a stellar 1.08 ERA over his first seven appearances, showcasing his ability as a reliable middle relief option. His arsenal, featuring a blazing four-seam fastball topping 100 mph, complemented by a cutter, slider, and changeup, has proven effective in keeping hitters off balance.
In particular, Dotel's ability to deliver scoreless outings has been noteworthy. He recorded three such performances, each consisting of three innings of work, against teams like the Chicago Cubs, Minnesota Twins, and Houston Astros, allowing just two hits and two walks while striking out 11.
As Dotel works his way back to form, the Pirates are hopeful that he'll soon be a key component of their bullpen once again, leveraging his diverse pitch mix to dominate on the mound. Keep an eye on his progress as he aims to reestablish himself as a crucial piece of the Pirates' pitching puzzle.
In Other News...
Pirates Rumored Catcher Swing Could Test Everything Fans Fear About This Deadline
The catching market is suddenly one of the more intriguing places for the Pirates to look as the deadline approaches, and it is easy to understand why. Pittsburgh has been linked in speculation to names such as Luis Arraez and Willson Contreras while also weighing whether it should lean into its current group or try to add a more proven bat behind the plate, all against the backdrop of a payroll that leaves little room for mistakes.
Endy Rodriguez has given the club a reason to think twice about chasing a big swing, especially now that he is healthy again and Joey Bart is out of the picture. The question for the front office is whether it wants to spend real prospect capital to solve a need that might already have an internal answer, or whether the smarter play is to stay patient and shop on the margins instead of forcing a move that could cost too much future value. [Read more 🡒]
Ben Cherington's Bullpen Comments Won't Calm Frustrated Pirates Fans
The Pirates bullpen has been one of the early-season sore spots dragging down a club that still wants to think it can stay in the playoff chase, and Ben Cherington did nothing to pretend otherwise during an appearance on The Pirates Insider Show. The general manager acknowledged the relief corps needs help, which at least matched what frustrated fans have been watching unfold, and he pointed to the teams one bullpen-related move so far, the trade that brought Hunter Stratton in from the Braves for catcher Joey Bart.
Cheringtons comments, though, also made clear that any larger fix is not going to arrive right away. He said bullpen trades are likely, but they may not come until after the July draft, pushing the meaningful reshaping of the relief mix closer to the trade deadline than to the present moment. For a fan base already anxious about how much damage the bullpen has done, that timetable is probably the least reassuring part of all. [Read more 🡒]
Pirates Injury Picture Just Took Another Frustrating Turn
Ben Cheringtons latest injury update offered one bit of progress and two reminders of how quickly the Pirates depth can get tested. Oneil Cruz is moving forward in his rehab from hand fractures, with the shortstop beginning gripping exercises and heading to Bradenton, Florida to continue the recovery process after having his cast removed. It is not a finish line, but it is at least a sign that one of Pittsburghs most important lineup pieces is turning a corner.
The rest of the picture was less encouraging. Wilber Dotel began a rehab assignment, but his recovery has already required a reassessment after he felt some discomfort, while Spencer Horwitz is facing a longer absence after suffering a left hamstring injury in late June. Horwitz had become a useful middle-order presence before getting hurt, and the Pirates now have to keep piecing together the infield and lineup while waiting for the injury count to settle down. [Read more 🡒]