The Pittsburgh Pirates have postponed pitcher Paul Skenes' next scheduled start by three days, a decision manager Don Kelly stated was driven by the ace's recent difficulties on the mound. Skenes was initially slated to pitch on Sunday against the Boston Red Sox but will now take the mound Wednesday against the Detroit Tigers.
'Ultimately, it was Donny's decision,' Skenes said following the Pirates' 4-0 loss to Boston on Saturday. 'But we had talked about it - and like I said after the last start, I'll have his back on whatever that is. I don't necessarily disagree with the decision either.'
The move comes as Skenes, the National League Rookie of the Year in 2024 and the Cy Young award winner in 2025, is experiencing his most challenging period since entering Major League Baseball in 2024. His performance hit a new low earlier this week in a loss to the Miami Marlins.
During his outing against the Marlins on Tuesday, the 24-year-old threw only 65 pitches over five innings before being removed from the game. He allowed a home run and an RBI single during that brief appearance. Notably, Skenes was unable to throw a fastball above 96.5 mph, a stark contrast to the previous season when he recorded 68 pitches at 99 mph or higher. This marks the third time this season Skenes has been pulled after throwing 65 pitches or fewer.
Skenes was recently photographed on a beach day with influencer girlfriend Livvy Dunne in Florida. The image circulated online and drew commentary regarding his physique, adding to the scrutiny surrounding his performance this season.
Speculation about the cause of Skenes' struggles has varied. Some analysts, like former MLB pitcher Curt Schilling, have pointed to mechanical issues, suggesting Skenes' early-season workload in the World Baseball Classic may be a factor. Others, including manager Kelly, believe Skenes may be striving for an unattainable standard set by his own early career success.
While some fans have voiced concerns about a potential undisclosed injury, an insider speaking to the Daily Mail dismissed these theories. The source suggested that if an injury were a factor, Skenes or the Pirates would likely have placed him on the injured list to protect his long-term health. The prevailing thought among observers is that Skenes is not currently injured, as the team has not taken measures to shut him down.