Pittsburgh Pirates expected to give Vance Worley start on Sunday
Needing someone to fill in for Francisco Liriano, the Pittsburgh Pirates will call up right-handed pitcher Vance Worley to start against the Miami Marlins on Sunday, reports Travis Sawchik of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. As the team tries to weather injuries, Worley looks to continue rebuilding his career after some time in the minor leagues.
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A breakout star for the Philadelphia Phillies in 2011, finishing third in NL Rookie of the Year voting, Worley has struggled to establish himself at the big league level since then. After a decent 2012, the wheels completely came off last year, and he’s simply been working to get back.
Luckily for Pittsburgh, the news isn’t all bad. Worley has been at Triple-A Indianapolis the past few weeks, and while his 4.30 ERA isn’t much, the underlying numbers look much stronger. With 43 strikeouts, four walks and just three homers allowed in 46 innings, Worley seems to be doing a pretty solid job of handling hitters at the minor league level.
Worley probably can’t replicate Liriano, but the Pirates will simply need to try to survive until the lefty gets back. It’s not he’s been spectacular in 2014, either, posting a 1-6 record and 4.60 ERA in 14 starts this season. The Pirates will need Liriano back at his best if they’re going to be more competitive, though.
In 2013, Worley made 10 starts for the Twins and posted a 7.21 ERA over 48.2 innings. At his peak in 2011, he was 11-3 with a 3.01 ERA in 25 appearances (21 starts). He was traded to Minnesota in 2012 as part of the deal that sent Ben Revere to Philadelphia.