Full Breakdown
Paul Skenes Pulled After 65 Pitches: Pirates Grapple With Ace’s Velocity Dip
8/13/2026, 2:00:57 AM
The Decision on Tuesday Night
In the Pirates’ August matchup at loanDepot Park, starter Paul Skenes was removed after five innings and 65 pitches while the team trailed the Miami Marlins 2–0. He allowed a solo home run to Esteury Ruiz, gave up five hits and one walk, and struck out four. Reliever Yohan Ramirez closed with three scoreless innings, but Pittsburgh was shut out.
Recent Performance and Velocity Trend
Skenes entered with a 9-11 record and a 3.88 ERA over 134 2/3 innings. His ERA has risen to 5.79 over his last nine outings and 5.00 in his final 16 starts. Advanced metrics remain solid (FIP ? 3.29, xERA ? 3.82), but his fastball averaged 95.7 mph Tuesday—the lowest single-game average of his career—and never topped 97 mph. Season-to-date his fastball sits at 96.8 mph, down from 98.8 mph in 2024.
Manager Don Kelly’s Rationale
Kelly said the removal “wasn’t injury-related” and that pulling Skenes gave the Pirates “the best chance to win.” He noted many pitchers are not at 100 % in August and that the decision was based on the situation rather than health.
Skenes’s Response
Skenes accepted the move, saying he understood the reasoning and would have made the same choice as the manager. He added he does not argue with Kelly’s decisions and that the situation “is what it is.”
Background: Workload and Mechanical Adjustments
The 2026 season began with an early ramp-up for the World Baseball Classic, adding to Skenes’s pitch volume. He has logged more 30- to 35-pitch innings this year than in the previous two seasons combined, suggesting cumulative workload may be contributing to the velocity dip.
Impact on Pittsburgh’s Playoff Outlook
The Pirates sit at 58-63, last in the NL Central, six games behind the wild-card line. Fangraphs projects a 4.4 % chance of reaching the postseason, down from earlier in the month. With 42 games left, the team’s reliance on Skenes as a frontline starter is critical, yet his early exits limit his upside.
Verbatim Quotes
- “If I were the manager, I’d probably do it too,” — Paul Skenes
- “As far as anybody this time of year — not injured, but the guys throughout in August, nobody’s 100%,” — Don Kelly
What’s Next
The Pirates have not announced a formal pitch-count limit or a revised rotation schedule. Kelly indicated the staff will continue “grinding” and seeking adjustments, implying future starts for Skenes may be managed conservatively to preserve effectiveness.
