De Jong allowed two runs on four hits and four walks over five innings in Friday's loss to Milwaukee. He struck out two and did not factor in the decision.

EDGE Analysis

De Jong gave up a pair of runs in the second inning but settled in and ended with a respectable outing. He issued four of the 11 walks given up by Pittsburgh's arms in Friday's loss. The 27-year-old now owns a 4.80 ERA after giving up seven runs over 10 innings in his last two starts. De Jong is lined up to start in Washington next week.

De Jong didn't factor into the decision Saturday against the Marlins after allowing five runs on seven hits (including three home runs) and a walk while fanning five across five innings.

EDGE Analysis

De Jong didn't have his best stuff Saturday and particularly struggled with the long ball, as he allowed three in just five innings. The right-hander owns a 10:3 K:BB over his first two outings of the campaign. He could make another start next week, though that may depend on whether JT Brubaker (personal) returns from the bereavement list.

De Jong is scheduled to start Saturday's game against the Marlins, Jordan McPherson of the Miami Herald reports.

EDGE Analysis

JT Brubaker (personal) doesn't appear on track to return from the bereavement list this week, so De Jong will be called upon to make a second straight spot start in his stead. De Jong acquitted himself well in his 2021 debut last weekend against the Rockies, working five innings while striking out five and giving up one run on three hits and two walks in a no-decision.

De Jong is a candidate to make another start for the Pirates, Jake Crouse of mlb.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

General manager Ben Cherington said Sunday that he hopes De Jong will get another shot in the rotation. "I think our hope is that we have a little bit of a runway now," Cherington said. "We wanted to have some confidence about that because he obviously wasn't on the roster. He is now. He is out of options. We hope that there's an opportunity for him." With Chad Kuhl, JT Brubaker and Trevor Cahill all soon expected back in the rotation, De Jong will need to once again impress in his next outing. The 27-year-old was in line for a win Sunday until Richard Rodriguez suffered his first blown save of 2021.

De Jong allowed one run on three hits and two walks while striking out five in five innings during Sunday's loss to the Rockies. He didn't factor into the decision.

EDGE Analysis

De Jong was in line for the win when he left Sunday's contest since he only allowed one run via a triple in the top of the fourth inning. However, the Rockies put together a late rally, so De Jong was forced to settle for a no-decision in his 2021 debut. If De Jong remains in the rotation, he tentatively lines up to make his next start at home against the Marlins on Saturday.

De Jong has been called up and will start Sunday's game against the Rockies, Mike Persak of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

EDGE Analysis

Rumblings of De Jong taking the ball Sunday started earlier in the morning with there being reports that the right hander was throwing in Pittsburgh on Saturday. The 27-year-old has tallied 20 innings this season at Triple-A Indianapolis, allowing eight earned runs on 16 hits and eight walks.

De Jong was seen throwing prior to the game in Pittsburgh on Saturday, indicating that he could be called up to start Sunday against the Rockies, Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

EDGE Analysis

The Pirates have not announced a starter for Sunday's matchup. Given that De Jong was in Pittsburgh on Saturday, it seems fair to reason that the Pirates are at least considering him as an option to take the mound. The right hander last pitched in the majors in 2020 with the Astros, allowing 12 earned runs across 7.1 innings.

De Jong was reassigned to minor-league camp Monday.

EDGE Analysis

De Jong was competing for job as a non-roster invitee and made a strong case for himself, posting a 1.88 ERA and 0.84 WHIP in 14.1 spring innings. That apparently wasn't enough, however, so he'll head to the minors to serve as organizational depth to open the year.

De Jong signed a minor-league contract with the Pirates on Wednesday, Brandon Warne of Access Twins reports.

EDGE Analysis

De Jong has made just four appearances (two starts) over the past two seasons, and he elected free agency at the end of October following a rough season with the Astros. The right-hander allowed 12 runs on 12 hits and four walks while striking out nine over 7.1 innings in 2020, and he'll have to compete for major-league playing time in 2021. He could serve as a non-roster invitee during spring training, but he could certainly begin the season in the minors given his struggles over the past several seasons.

De Jong cleared waivers Friday and elected free agency, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

De Jong threw 7.1 innings for the Astros this season, allowing 12 runs. The poor performance raised his career ERA to 7.12 in 54.1 frames spread over the last four years. That will presumably leave him searching for a minor-league deal on the open market.