Priester allowed one earned run on three hits and no walks while striking out five across 4.2 innings in Friday's Grapefruit League game against the Yankees.

EDGE Analysis

Priester is vying for the final rotation spot in Pittsburgh but has struggled to get outs the second time through the order throughout spring. That changed Friday, as he served up a solo home run in the fourth frame but was otherwise successful pitching deeper into the game. Priester also threw his slider 40 percent of the time and maintained increased velocity relative to the 2023 season. The Pirates have added Domingo German and Eric Lauer in recent days to muddy Priester's path to the rotation on Opening Day, but he'll almost certainly contribute at some point during the campaign.

Priester threw his slider 88.7 mph in his Grapefruit League debut Wednesday, Alex Stumpf of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Priester reached the majors in 2023, but he struggled to a 7.74 ERA and 1.70 WHIP across 50 innings in Pittsburgh. One notable problem was a dip in velocity, something he aimed to change by reworking his delivery this offseason. The early returns were positive, as his slider velocity ticked up 3.2 mph compared to the 2023 campaign. The movement on the pitch also changed and now resembles more of a cutter than a slider. Priester is competing for a back-end rotation spot this spring and turned in two perfect innings with one strikeout Wednesday against the Tigers.

Priester (3-3) took the loss Saturday, allowing four runs on 10 hits and one walk over 5.1 innings against the Marlins while striking out three.

EDGE Analysis

Priester got off to a rough start, surrendering a leadoff double to Jorge Soler to start the game, along with two more singles and a run in the first inning. He would go on to allow another three runs on the day, with the last two coming home after the right-hander was relieved by Dauri Moreta with one out in the sixth. Priester allowed a season-high 10 hits in the contest while it marked the fifth time in his last six starts in which he's given up at least four runs.

Priester did not factor into the decision Sunday, allowing two runs on two hits and five walks over six innings in a 4-2 loss against the Reds. He struck out four.

EDGE Analysis

Priester allowed no hits through five, but following a Jonathan India single to lead off the sixth, TJ Friedl hit a two-run homer to break up the shutout. Priester allowed no more damage to complete six innings for the second consecutive outing and earn his first career quality start. He entered the contest with an 8.61 ERA spanning 38.2 innings over eight appearances (six starts) in his first big-league season, but finally showed why the Pirates made him their first-round draft selection in 2019. He'll look to build off Sunday's effort with one more 2023 appearance, currently slated to take place next weekend at home against Miami.

Priester didn't factor into the decision Tuesday as the Pirates were routed 14-1 by the Cubs, giving up four runs on five hits and two walks over six relief innings. He struck out two.

EDGE Analysis

Bailey Falter got the start but curiously got the hook after giving up two runs in the first inning, with Priester taking over to begin the second. The rookie right-hander ended up handling his biggest workload in eight big-league appearances -- his previous high was 5.1 frames -- but he also served up his 10th homer, leaving him with a 8.61 ERA, 1.73 WHIP and 29:21 K:BB through 38.2 MLB innings. It's not yet clear if the Pirates will continue deploying Falter and Priester together as a tandem in some fashion, but if so the duo would line up for two more appearances before the end of the regular season.

Priester (3-2) allowed four earned runs on four hits and one walk while striking out four across four innings to earn the win Wednesday against the Nationals.

EDGE Analysis

He was recalled from Triple-A Indianapolis on Wednesday and followed opener Colin Selby. Priester worked four effective innings, during which the only hit he allowed was a solo home run. However, things fell apart when he stayed for his fifth frame and allowed a three-run home run. The outing was encouraging from the perspective that Priester induced nine swinging strikes on 62 total pitches and was in the zone consistently, but he's now allowed at least four earned runs in all but one of his seven big-league appearances.

Priester was recalled from Triple-A Indianapolis on Wednesday.

EDGE Analysis

Priester is slated to serve as a bulk reliever for the Pirates on Wednesday against the Nationals, likely entering the game after opener Colin Selby covers one or two innings. The rookie right-hander has had a rough time in the majors thus far, holding a 9.10 ERA, 1.92 WHIP and 23:18 K:BB across 28.2 innings.

Pittsburgh optioned Priester to Triple-A Indianapolis on Tuesday.

EDGE Analysis

Priester got a six-start run in the Pirates' starting rotation and struggled to a 9.10 ERA, 1.92 WHIP and 23:18 K:BB across 28.2 innings. It's uncertain whether the 22-year-old right-hander will get another look in the majors before the end of the 2023 season. Yohan Ramirez has been called up in a corresponding move.

Priester (2-2) took the loss Monday, allowing six runs on seven hits and three walks over five innings against the Mets. He struck out three.

EDGE Analysis

Priester threw a season-high 102 pitches though he'd allow at least one run in each of his five innings. It's been a rough start to Priester's big-league career -- his ERA is now up to 9.10 with a 1.92 WHIP and 23:18 K:BB through his first six starts (28.2 innings). While the rebuilding Pirates can afford to give the 22-year-old right-hander an extended look in the rotation, Priester doesn't appear ready to be a reliable option against major-league lineups. His next start is tentatively scheduled for this weekend in Minnesota.

Priester came away with a no-decision in Wednesday's 6-5 loss to Atlanta, giving up four runs on nine hits and a walk over four innings. He struck out four.

EDGE Analysis

While his final line didn't look like much on the surface, Priester managed to avoid serving up any homers to the league's most dangerous offense, and he walked one batter or fewer for the first time in five MLB starts. Despite the small signs of progress, the rookie right-hander is still saddled with an 8.75 ERA and 1.90 WHIP through his first 23.2 innings for Pittsburgh with a 20:15 K:BB. He'll try to take another step forward in his next outing, likely to come on the road early next week against the Mets.