Skenes getting a second look
Paul Skenes, who struggled on Opening Day for the Pirates vs. the Reds, was scheduled to take the mound again Wednesday as observers watch for a bounce‑back start. (twsn.net) The early season spotlight on Skenes underscores how quickly teams and fantasy owners will react to rookie‑arm volatility in April. (twsn.net)
Opening Day was March 26, 2026 at Citi Field, where Skenes lasted two‑thirds of an inning, threw 37 pitches and allowed five earned runs on four hits and two walks. (mlb.com) Manager Don Kelly said he removed Skenes because it was “too early to push it” and cited health and the 37‑pitch count as the reasons for the early hook. (espn.com) Skenes answered in his next turn on April 1 at Great American Ball Park, working five innings and allowing one run while recording five strikeouts en route to his first win of 2026. (mlb.com) Mason Montgomery relieved Skenes to start the sixth, the bullpen surrendered a pinch‑hit two‑run homer to Eugenio Suárez but Pittsburgh held on for an 8‑3 win that sealed the three‑game series. (mlb.com) Fantasy analysts urged patience after the opener and many platforms continued to rank Skenes as an elite asset, with FantasyPros showing him rostered in roughly 99.5% of leagues heading into early April. (si.com, fantasypros.com)
