When the Pittsburgh Pirates traded Gerrit Cole to the Houston Astros one of the players they acquired was right-handed pitcher Joe Musgrove. With the Astros, Musgrove, a former top-100 prospect, worked as both a starting pitcher and a reliever. The Pirates, however, view him as a starting pitcher.
Due to shoulder fatigue, Joe Musgrove has yet to pitch in a game this spring. He has, however, thrown multiple bullpen sessions and pitched in simulated games. But at 1:05 this afternoon he will get his first real taste of baseball this spring.
Barring any other setbacks, Musgrove is set to open the 2018 season as the team’s fifth starting pitcher.