Donnie Football

Urquidy has only thrown two innings in the majors since 2023.

And in that season, he was limited to 63 of them in Houston.

Another note on Urquidy is that he's right-handed.

In fact, every single projected starting pitcher for the Pirates throws from the right side.

And Jared Jones will be returning middle of the season at some point.

He brings it from the same way.

Not that it's impossible to go through a season like that, but it is difficult to not have a lefty of any sort in the mix to change the pace a little bit.

I had this talk recently because Ben Charrington has always found a way to work a left-handed pitcher into the rotation.

If there's been any free agent move that he's been willing to make, it has been that.

Finding a lefty, putting him into the rotation.

Hunter Barco got a cup of coffee in the bigs last season.

He only pitched three innings, didn't allow a run.

Is he the answer there?

Eventually, but I don't think that's right now.

At least it doesn't feel like it.

But he does have the sheer fact that he's a lefty arm and a starting pitcher working in his favor.

A few lefties in the bullpen, but none of them have the makeup of a starter.

And last week, another lefty got taken off the shelf.

Jose Quintana, who pitched a half season in Pittsburgh a few years back under Ben Charrington, he's going to the Rockies.

So now that group of lefties sits at four, and realistically, three.