PITTSBURGH -- The Pirates will use the final three weeks of the season as a sort of sneak peek at their 2018 bullpen, and that group returned a potentially significant member before Thursday's series finale against the Cubs at PNC Park.
Right-hander George Kontos was activated off the disabled list after missing the previous 15 games with a strained right groin. Claimed off waivers from the Giants last month, Kontos could play a major role toward the back end of next year's bullpen.
"We'd like to get him in the fold. We can watch him for a period of time here, hopefully put an eye on him for three weeks," Pirates manager Clint Hurdle said.