Pirates lose Burdi, throw Shuck

JB+Shuck+on+April+27%2C+2015

Keith Allison on Flickr (Original version) UCinternational (Crop) [CC BY-SA 2.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0)]

JB Shuck on April 27, 2015

The Pirates 12-4 loss to the Arizona Diamondbacks was rough in itself but turned worse when pitcher Nick Burdi had a scary injury.

While pitching to Jarrod Dyson in the top of the 8th, Burdi threw a fastball high and outside and immediately went to the ground. Holding his right bicep, he remained on the ground for a few minutes before walking off the field.

Before that outing, Nick Burdi had a 4.32 ERA to start his rookie season. He gave up five runs and only recorded one out in the game before his injury. He also just recently recovered from Tommy John surgery.

Down 12-4 in the 9th, the Pirates turned to an unfamiliar face to pitch. For the first time in his career, JB Shuck took the mound. The Pirates have not had an off-day since Thursday, and will not until next Monday. With the game out of hand, the Pirates decided to save their bullpen arms and put Shuck, an outfielder, into pitch.

The Garth Brooks look-a-like surprisingly did well on the mound. He held the Diamondbacks to no runs and saved the Pirates bullpen.

The Pirates play the Diamondbacks again from Tuesday through Thursday at PNC Park. Hopefully, Nick Burdi’s injury is not serious, but don’t expect to go to the ballpark to see JB Shuck on the mound.