The Pirates activated Contreras (personal) from the paternity list Sunday.

EDGE Analysis

Contreras stepped away from the team for a few days to be with his family, but he's now back with the Pirates. The 24-year-old has shifted to a relief role to begin the season and will likely be utilized in lower-leverage spots.

The Pirates placed Contreras (personal) on the paternity list Thursday.

EDGE Analysis

Contreras will be away from the team between one and three days while he tends to more important matters. Jose Hernandez was recalled from Triple-A Indianapolis in a corresponding move.

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

EDGE Analysis

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.

Contreras walked six batters across four innings of work in Wednesday's Grapefruit League game against the Blue Jays.

EDGE Analysis

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.

Contreras allowed one hit and walked three while striking out one across scoreless 2.1 innings in Saturday's Grapefruit League game against the Tigers.

EDGE Analysis

Contreras managed to work his way out of trouble, but he walked a batter in all three innings he pitched. Per Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Contreras also averaged 94.3 mph on his fastball, down around two ticks from the top velocity he's shown in the majors. He's now walked four batters across 4.1 innings of work this spring, which won't help his chances of securing a rotation spot to begin the new campaign.

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

EDGE Analysis

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.

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

EDGE Analysis

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.

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

EDGE Analysis

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.

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

EDGE Analysis

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.

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

EDGE Analysis

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.