Pirates A to Z: Signed to eat innings, Trevor Cahill's season was sidetracked by injuries

During the offseason, the Tribune-Review will offer Pirates A to Z: An alphabetical player-by-player look at the 40-man roster, from outfielder Anthony Alford to pitcher Miguel Yajure.

Player: Trevor Cahill

Position: Pitcher

Throws: Right

Bats: Right

Age: 33

Height: 6-foot-4

Weight: 223 pounds

2021 MLB statistics: Cahill was 1-5 with a 6.57 ERA in 37 innings over nine appearances, including eight starts.

Contract: Free agent.

Acquired: Signed to a $1.5 million, one-year free-agent contract.

This past season: When the Pirates signed Cahill on March 12, it was with the hope that the veteran would serve as an innings eater and lend a veteran presence to a young pitching staff.

In 12 major league seasons with eight teams, Cahill had pitched 100 or more innings eight times, including a pair of 200-inning seasons. He also had work out of the bullpen, so it appeared a low-risk move if Cahill couldn’t cut it as a starter.

“What we like about him is he’s a veteran guy,” Pirates manager Derek Shelton said. “The work we did on the person was really good. Obviously, you guys have the research, the curveball is really good. Has the ability to start, has the ability to pitch in all facets of the bullpen. We’re happy to have him in camp. I think he’s a really good addition to our group.”

Missing most of spring training — Cahill spent much of it throwing on the backfields instead of Grapefruit League games — proved to be problematic.

In his Pirates debut, Cahill was tagged for seven runs on nine hits in four innings in a 14-1 loss to the Cincinnati Reds. He had a 9.69 ERA in his first three starts — all losses — before tossing a two-hitter over six innings to earn his first victory in a 6-2 win at the Minnesota Twins on April 24.

The Pirates lost Cahill’s next four starts, however, and he left with the bases loaded in the second inning against St. Louis on May 19 when he couldn’t continue because of discomfort in his left calf.

“I don’t think it’s anything serious,” Cahill said afterward. “It wasn’t really all of a sudden, so I don’t think it’s anything serious. It’s just something that I couldn’t get through. Hopefully it’s nothing serious. I don’t think it’s anything major, like major major. I don’t know if it was the weather or whatever, hopefully it’s nothing that will affect me long-term.”

It was serious enough to require a stay on the 10-day injured list. Cahill didn’t appear in another game until June 11, when he pitched the final 1 1/3 innings of a 7-4 loss at Milwaukee.

The Pirates placed Cahill on the IL again the next day. It was a double whammy for their starting rotation, as a struggling Mitch Keller also was demoted to Triple-A Indianapolis.

Cahill was working toward returning in San Francisco, when the Pirates had him lined up to throw side sessions and a live batting practice. Then he suffered multiple fractures and some ligament damage in his right foot in a freak accident, when he slipped and fell down steps.

Cahill was shut down for the rest of the season.

The future: With Cahill a free agent, the Pirates aren’t expected to bring him back for the 2022 season so he appears headed for his 10th team in 14 years, if not retirement.