CHICAGO — Chris Archer has made his final start of the season for the Pirates. The team announced Thursday afternoon Archer won't pitch in the season finale Sunday in Cincinnati because of a left groin strain, preventing him from making his 28th start of the season.
Also, the Pirates announced outfielder Jordan Luplow underwent an appendectomy early Thursday morning at Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Chicago, effectively ending his season. The procedure typically requires two to four weeks for recovery. Archer, who turned 30 on Wednesday, had a 1.35 WHIP with 60 strikeouts to 18 walks in 10 starts for the Pirates after being acquired at the non-waiver trade deadline.
Neal Huntington told reporters before first pitch Thursday that the Pirates won't choose a start until after Saturday's game and they might be "bullpenning." Nick Kingham will take the mound Friday at Great American Ball Park and Jameson Taillon will make his final start the following day.
Archer pitched 148 1/3 innings this season, his lowest mark since his rookie season in 2013. His 4.13 ERA was also his worst mark since he made six appearances with the Rays in 2012. He had 162 strikeouts to 49 walks in 27 starts and blossomed in his final month of the season. Archer had a 2.70 ERA with 36 strikeouts in five September starts, capped by six scoreless innings and nine strikeouts Tuesday night at Wrigley Field.
The left groin strain was suffered in the batter's box at PNC Park on Aug. 20 against the Braves when he struck out swinging. That did not prevent him from making his next scheduled start, but the Pirates released a statement saying the decision to shut him down was made to "allow for an optimal amount of recovery and preparation for the 2019 season."
Archer joins reliever Keone Kela and fellow starter Joe Musgrove as players to have their seasons cut short this month. Also, starter Chad Kuhl underwent Tommy John surgery and reliever Edgar Santana is also expected to undergo the procedure, ruling both pitchers out for next season.
Archer, a two-time All-Star, was acquired for Tyler Glasnow, Austin Meadows and Shane Baz. While his tenure began with some turbulence, he thrived over the final four weeks of the season. Following his start Tuesday in Chicago, Archer cited his trust in Francisco Cervelli for that success. Also, Archer ditched the windup and began pitching only from the stretch.
He's under contract for three more seasons and will make $7.6 million in 2016, supplementing a rotation that is also expected to include Musgrove, Trevor Williams, Jameson Taillon and Ivan Nova.