ROANSY CONTRERAS NEWS

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

Takes loss despite solid outing Contreras (3-4) took the loss against Baltimore on Saturday, allowing two runs on five hits and one walk while striking out one batter.

Impact Contreras didn't allow more than one hit in any inning Saturday, but he was dinged for a pair of solo homers to account for the two runs against him. Meanwhile, a trio of Baltimore pitchers held Pittsburgh to three hits and no runs, resulting in Contreras being saddled with a tough-luck loss. The right-hander nonetheless finished with his fourth quality start of the campaign despite notching a season-low one punchout. Contreras has allowed two or fewer runs in five of his eight starts, but a few rough outings have put his season ERA at a less-than-inspiring 4.40.

MAY 14, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Falls to Toronto Contreras (3-3) took the loss Sunday, allowing five runs on nine hits and three walks over five innings against the Blue Jays. He struck out four.

Impact Contreras has dropped his last two starts, allowing nine runs on 15 hits over 10.1innings in that span. The 23-year-old right-hander now sports a 4.74 ERA with a 1.55 WHIP and 31:19 K:BB. Contreras has shown some promise at times early in his career, but he's been too inconsistent to trust for fantasy purposes. He's tentatively lined up to face the Orioles in his next outing.

MAY 8, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Falls to Tampa Bay Contreras (3-2) took the loss Tuesday, allowing four runs on six hits and four walks over 5.1 innings against Tampa Bay. He struck out three.

Impact Contreras held the Rays off the board for the first three innings, allowing just one hit. However, he started to unravel in the fourth, allowing a run following a Randy Arozarena leadoff double before allowing three more runs in the fifth and sixth innings. The loss snaps a run of three consecutive quality starts for Contreras. The 23-year-old right-hander now has a 4.09 ERA, 1.42 WHIP and 27:16 K:BB through his first six starts this season.

MAY 3, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Shuts down Dodgers Contreras (3-1) allowed two hits and two walks while striking out five across six innings to earn the win Wednesday against the Dodgers.

Impact Contreras was excellent throughout the appearance, as he allowed only two runners to reach scoring position across the six innings of work. He relied primarily on flyball outs, but he did get 26 combined called and swinging strikes across 87 total pitches. Setting aside a disastrous outing against Houston on April 10, Contreras has worked at least 5.2 innings in all of his starts while surrendering two or fewer earned runs in each. All told, he has a 3.58 ERA, 1.34 WHIP and a 24:12 K:BB across 27.2 frames.

APRIL 27, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Contreras' winning formula? Trust in his slider PITTSBURGH -- Roansy Contreras has more trust in his slider this year compared to last year, and on nights like Thursday, that trust was rew...

APRIL 21, 2023 • MLB.COM

Sharp in Thursday's win Contreras (2-1) earned the win Thursday, allowing one run on five hits and two walks over 6.2 innings in a 4-3 victory over the Reds. He struck out eight.

Impact Contreras held the Reds off the board until the seventh inning, ultimately allowing just one run while racking up a season-high eight strikeouts. The 23-year-old Contreras has been great to start the year, apart from a seven-run loss against the Astros on April 10 -- he's allowed two runs or fewer in his other three starts. Overall, the young right-hander is 2-1 with a 4.57 ERA, 1.52 WHIP and 19:10 K:BB through 21.2 innings this season.

APRIL 21, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Reds visit the Pirates to start 4-game series

The Pittsburgh Pirates host the Cincinnati Reds to open a four-game series

APRIL 20, 2023 • Associated Press

Allows two over six vs. Cardinals Contreras didn't factor into the decision Saturday against the Cardinals after allowing two runs on six hits over six innings. He walked three and struck out six.

Impact There was plenty of traffic and self-inflicted damage for Contreras in the no-decision, but the right-hander was able to keep the Cardinals at bay after giving up two runs in the first inning. He's pitched effectively in two of his three outings thus far in 2023 with the one exception being a seven-run struggle against the Astros in his previous start. It's true for many pitchers in the early stages, but Contreras has pitched better than his 6.00 ERA over 15 innings suggests.

APRIL 15, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

St. Louis Cardinals host the Pittsburgh Pirates Saturday

The St. Louis Cardinals play the Pittsburgh Pirates on Saturday

APRIL 15, 2023 • Associated Press

Knocked around in loss Contreras (1-1) took the loss Monday, allowing seven runs on nine hits and four walks over 3.1 innings against the Astros. He struck out three.

Impact Contreras was unable to get into any sort of rhythm with the Astros' offense jumping all over him from the beginning. He surrendered one run in the first inning, three in the second, one in the third and two in the fourth before departing a 7-1 game. Monday's outing was a much different story for Contreras, who held Boston to one run on three hits, a walk and a pair of strikeouts over 5.2 frames in his first start of 2023.

APRIL 11, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Alvarez, Tucker lead Astros past Pirates 8-2

Yordan Alvarez had three hits and boosted his RBI total to a major-league-leading 16 by driving in two runs in the Houston Astros' 8-2 win over Pittsburgh

APRIL 11, 2023 • Associated Press

Pirates host the Astros to begin 3-game series

The Pittsburgh Pirates start a three-game series at home against the Houston Astros on Monday

APRIL 10, 2023 • Associated Press