ROANSY CONTRERAS NEWS

'I'm good with it': Pirates' Roansy Contreras is once again embracing shift to bullpen Roansy Contreras has struggled (again) with consistency and confidence this spring. The Pirates are hoping another bullpen stint will help.

MARCH 24 • POST-GAZETTE.COM

Shifting to relief Contreras will begin the 2024 season as a reliever, Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

Impact Contreras competed for a final spot in the Pirates' rotation, but he struggled to find the strike zone throughout spring training -- walking 13 batters across just 12.1 innings. While he won't fit the roster as a starter, Pittsburgh showed some desire to keep him in the organization, as he is out of minor-league options.

MARCH 22 • ROTOWIRE

Not making case for rotation spot Contreras walked six batters across four innings of work in Wednesday's Grapefruit League game against the Blue Jays.

Impact Contreras is in competition for a rotation spot but has had an unimpressive showing this spring. Across four outings and 10.2 innings, he has just a 4:10 K:BB while giving up nine earned runs. Assuming he fails to secure a rotation spot, Contreras's tenure in Pittsburgh may be over as he is out of minor-league options.

MARCH 14 • ROTOWIRE

Pirates' Roansy Contreras flashes velocity but struggles at times in loss to Blue Jays DUNEDIN, Fla. — Roansy Contreras’ inaugural spring innings served as a reminder of what he’s still capable of. Making his first Grapefruit.....

FEBRUARY 26 • POST-GAZETTE.COM

'Nothing's impossible': Contreras ready to compete for rotation spot in '24 BRADENTON, Fla. -- Henry Davis called it before the coaches could with the Trackman behind them. Roansy Contreras perfectly placed a breakin...

FEBRUARY 21 • MLB.COM

Shut down for year Manager Derek Shelton announced Thursday that Contreras has been shut down for the year, Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

Impact Contreras could have maybe been recalled from Triple-A Indianapolis for the Pirates' final regular-season series against the Marlins, but the 23-year-old right-hander will instead get an early start to his offseason regimen. He posted a disappointing 6.59 ERA over 68.1 major-league innings this year and also held an underwhelming 4.96 ERA in 32.2 innings at Triple-A.

SEPTEMBER 28, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Returning to Triple-A rotation Contreras (shoulder) is expected to return to the Triple-A Indianapolis rotation this week, Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

Impact Contreras was scratched from his last scheduled start Friday versus the Triple-A affiliate of the Blue Jays due to stiffness in his right shoulder, but it's apparently not a serious concern. The 23-year-old is working on a new sinker and has fared well overall since the Pirates optioned him to the minors before the All-Star break.

SEPTEMBER 5, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Scratched from Triple-A start Contreras was scratched from his start with Triple-A Indianapolis due to stiffness, MLB.com reports.

Impact General manager Ben Cherington disclosed the information Sunday but did not provide any more details about the nature of the injury. Contreras is hoping to retake the mound again this season, so the issue doesn't seem particularly serious. Since being demoted to Indianapolis Aug. 4, Contreras has maintained a 2.50 ERA and 0.89 WHIP with a 17:6 K:BB across 18 frames.

SEPTEMBER 4, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Promoted to Triple-A The Pirates transferred Contreras from Single-A Bradenton to Triple-A Indianapolis on Tuesday, Justice delos Santos of MLB.com reports.

Impact After accumulating a 6.59 ERA and 1.57 WHIP through 68.1 innings in the majors, the Pirates optioned Contreras all the way down to the Florida Complex League so he could work on his mechanics. After a two-inning appearance with Bradenton on Friday, Contreras will now face higher-level competition and could return to Pittsburgh later this season if he performs well in Triple-A.

AUGUST 8, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Bucs option Roansy to FCL Pirates A week after the Pirates optioned right-hander Roansy Contreras to Triple-A Indianapolis, the club went a step further on Thursday evening a...

JULY 14, 2023 • MLB.COM

Transferred to FCL Contreras' option was transferred to the Florida Complex League on Thursday, Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

Impact Contreras was optioned to Triple-A Indianapolis on July 6 but had yet to take the mound in the minors. With this move, he should have the chance to re-find his form after a disappointing first half of the season, during which has maintained a 6.59 ERA and 1.57 WHIP to go along with a 55:32 K:BB across 68.1 innings. Mackey did note that Contreras is expected to pitch at a higher level again this season.

JULY 13, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Contreras demoted amid extended struggles LOS ANGELES -- Roansy Contreras has been in need of a reset for quite some time. This appears to be just that. Contreras was optioned to Tri...

JULY 7, 2023 • MLB.COM

Optioned to minors Contreras was optioned to Triple-A Indianapolis on Thursday.

Impact In what had the potential to be a breakout season, Contreras has struggled mightily. He lost his rotation spot in mid-June and has since been hit hard out of the bullpen. All told, he has a 6.59 ERA and 1.57 WHIP. Even so, if he can rediscover his stuff in Indianapolis, there's a strong chance that Contreras returns to the majors before the end of the campaign.

JULY 7, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Crushed by Dodgers Contreras (3-7) allowed four earned runs on three hits and two walks while striking out two across one inning to take the loss Wednesday against the Dodgers.

Impact Contreras has been working in bulk relief after being removed from the rotation in mid-June. He's particularly struggled in his last two outings, allowing seven earned runs across 3.1 frames. On Wednesday, he entered the game with a two-run lead but promptly walked two of the first three batters he faced before serving up back-to-back homers. The Pirates have an open spot in the rotation after Luis Ortiz was demoted to Triple-A, but Contreras isn't likely to be an option due to his recent form.

JULY 6, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Picks up first MLB save Contreras earned the save Tuesday against the Padres, allowing two hits and a walk while striking out three over three scoreless innings.

Impact Contreras has been pitching better since moving to the Pirates' bullpen. After surrendering five runs in his first relief appearance, the 23-year-old righty has allowed just one run over his subsequent 7.1 innings with seven strikeouts in that span. Contreras lowered his ERA to 5.95 with a 1.51 WHIP and 51:29 K:BB across 65 innings this season.

JUNE 28, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Roansy works 2 perfect innings in bounceback outing MILWAUKEE -- The Pirates have repeatedly expressed their belief that Roansy Contreras, in the long-term, can be a Major League starting pitc...

JUNE 18, 2023 • MLB.COM

Struggles continue in the pen Contreras (3-6) took the loss in Wednesday's 10-6 loss to the Cubs. He allowed five runs on three hits and two walks with a strikeout over 1.1 innings.

Impact Contreras initially looked good in his debut out of the bullpen, setting the Cubs down in order in the fifth inning. However, his fortunes changed in the sixth as he was tagged for five runs in the frame while recording just one out. Since the start of June, Contreras has allowed 17 earned runs in just 5.2 innings. His ERA is up to 6.55 with a 1.60 WHIP and 44:27 K:BB through 57.2 innings this season. If Contreras continues to struggle in a relief role, a trip to Triple-A could be on the horizon.

JUNE 15, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Moved to bullpen General manager Ben Cherington announced on his weekly radio show that Contreras is being moved to the bullpen, Kevin Gorman of TribLive.com reports.

Impact "[Contreras has] just gotten himself in a situation where he's not in his best form," Cherington said. In his loss Wednesday to the A's, Contreras allowed seven runs while getting just one out, and his ERA has jumped up to 5.91 with a 1.54 WHIP. The right-hander still has a chance for long-term success, but he can safety be ignored in redraft fantasy formats for the foreseeable future. The Pirates will announce a starter to take the place of Contreras early next week.

JUNE 11, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Contreras on struggles: 'Just face them and move forward' PITTSBURGH -- Roansy Contreras has shown, in spurts, the capability to be a Major League starting pitcher. Amid the most turbulent stretch o...

JUNE 7, 2023 • MLB.COM

Ambushed by Oakland Contreras (3-5) took the loss Wednesday, allowing seven runs on six hits and two walks over one-third of an inning against the Athletics. He struck out one.

Impact The first seven A's all reached base safely before Contreras could record an out. The 23-year-old righty would depart after surrendering the sixth hit of the inning before Rob Zastryzny walked in two more runs. Contreras has now allowed 12 earned runs over just 4.1 innings in his last two outings. His ERA is up to 5.91 with a 1.54 WHIP and 43:25 K:BB through 11 starts (56.1 innings) this season.

JUNE 7, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

One bad frame Friday Contreras didn't factor into the decision in Friday's 7-5 win over the Cardinals, coughing up five runs on seven hits over four innings. He struck out six without walking a batter.

Impact All the damage off Contreras came in the third inning, as he served up homers to Brendan Donovan and Nolan Arenado, but he was sharp in the other three frames and exited having generated 28 called or swinging strikes among his 83 pitches. The 23-year-old right-hander has been having trouble keeping the ball in the park since the beginning of May, getting tagged for seven homers in 28.1 innings over his last six starts to fuel a 6.04 ERA during that stretch. Despite the upside he'll tease on occasion, Contreras remains a risky fantasy option heading into his next outing, likely to come at home next week against the A's.

JUNE 3, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Starting on Friday Contreras will start for the Pirates on Friday against the Cardinals, Kevin Gorman of TribLive.com reports.

Impact Contreras made one relief appearance Sunday in Seattle, but with Vince Velasquez (elbow) back on the injured list he will re-enter the rotation. The right-hander holds a 4.50 ERA and just a 16.4 percent strikeout rate in his nine starts this season.

MAY 31, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Works in relief, should still start Contreras appeared out of the bullpen in Sunday's 6-3 loss to Seattle in 10 innings, striking out one while allowing one hit and no walks over two scoreless frames.

Impact Contreras appeared out of the bullpen for the first time in 2023, but his time as a reliever is expected to be only temporary. Justice delos Santos of MLB.com, Pirates general manager Ben Cherington implied prior to Sunday's contest that Contreras is likely to re-enter the rotation after Vince Velasquez (elbow) was placed on the 15-day injured list. The Pirates had initially planned to have Contreras shift to the bullpen to accommodate Velasquez's return Saturday from a three-and-a-half-week stay on the IL, but Velasquez lasted just two innings in his start against the Mariners that day before succumbing to another setback with his elbow. Due to an off day Thursday, the Pirates would be able to get by with a four-man rotation until at least June 6, so Contreras could be available for a relief appearance or two next week if the Pirates opt not to have him start during next weekend's series with St. Louis.

MAY 29, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Spending time in bullpen Contreras is expected to move into a bullpen role for the near future, Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

Impact Contreras still has time to deliver on his prospect pedigree, as he's just 23 years old, but his season so far has been a disappointment. He owns a 4.50 ERA through nine starts, with a 5.44 xFIP and 5.48 SIERA indicating that things could be considerably worse. His 16.4 percent strikeout rate, 10.8 percent walk rate and 35.5 percent groundball rate are all significantly worse than average. There's been no indication that the Pirates intend to permanently move him to the bullpen, but spending at least a few weeks there could help him reset while also help keep his innings in check. He threw 129.1 frames last season, so 150 innings is probably a fair target for this year.

MAY 27, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Allows three runs in no-decision Contreras did not factor into the decision Sunday, allowing three runs on three hits and three walks over five innings in an 8-3 loss against the Diamondbacks. He struck out three.

Impact Contreras has gone four straight starts without a win -- he's 3-4 with a 4.50 ERA, 1.42 WHIP and 35:23 K:BB through nine starts (50 innings) this season. The 23-year-old Contreras has looked good at times this season, tallying four quality starts, though he's been too inconsistent to trust for fantasy purposes. He's lined up to face the Mariners on the road in his next outing.

MAY 22, 2023 • ROTOWIRE