Entering the 2019 season, the Pittsburgh Pirates bullpen was supposed to be a strength. However, that has not been the case. The team has seen some of their relievers regress like Richard Rodriguez and Keone Kela. Meanwhile, the team has battled some injuries as well. Edgar Santana is out for the season, emerging arm Nick Burdi damaged a nerve, and Keone Kela is having trouble pitching a lot of innings. Plus the team already saw setup man Kyle Crick on the Injury List early this season.
The bullpen has struggled and been injury riddle through the first month.