Johan Oviedo To Start Season In Rotation
2 years agoPittsburgh Pirates manager Derek Shelton confirmed on Tuesday that right-hander Johan Oviedo will open the 2023 regular season in the team's starting rotation. The 25-year-old earned the opportunity with a strong spring that included a five-inning outing on Tuesday against the Minnesota Twins in which he struck out seven batters. There is an extra spot in the rotation due to the injury of JT Brubaker (forearm), but Oviedo could stick around if he pitches well. The Cuban hurler had a 3.21 ERA (3.74 FIP), 1.29 WHIP and 22.3 percent strikeout rate in 56 innings over 21 outings (eight starts) for the Pirates and St. Louis Cardinals in 2022. Oviedo might profile better in a relief role in the long run, but the rebuilding Bucs will give him a chance to start. He's only worth streaming in NL-only leagues and he'll need to display better control to have any kind of consistent success.
Source: Pittsburgh PG - Jason Mackey
Source: Pittsburgh PG - Jason Mackey