PITTSBURGH -- The Pirates are optimistic that right-hander Chris Archer will start this weekend after exiting his start on Monday due to left leg discomfort.
Archer played catch on Wednesday afternoon at PNC Park. He is scheduled to throw a bullpen session on Thursday, manager Clint Hurdle said. If everything goes well, Archer will make his scheduled start on Sunday against the Brewers at Miller Park. Archer is tentatively listed to pitch in the series finale after Joe Musgrove works the opener on Friday and Jameson Taillon starts on Saturday.
"He reported the next day that if he had to pitch, he could pitch that next day," director of sports medicine Todd Tomczyk said on Wednesday, noting that Archer was removed on Monday as a precaution.