Pirates place Mitch Keller, Michael Feliz on injured list, acquire pitcher Tyler Bashlor from the Mets

Pittsburgh Pirates pitchers Mitch Keller and Michael Feliz, who left the game Saturday night in Chicago, were placed on the 10-day injured list Sunday.

On a busy day for transactions and news about pitchers, the Pirates also acquired right-hander Tyler Bashlor from the New York Mets in exchange for cash.

Bashlor, 27, appeared in 48 games for the Mets — all in relief — in 2018 and ’19 while compiling an 0-6 record and 5.33 ERA. The Mets designated him for assignment Friday.

Also, the Pirates activated pitchers Cody Ponce and Sam Howard from the taxi squad and designated left-hander Robbie Erlin for assignment.

The injuries to Keller (left side discomfort) and Feliz (forearm) bring the total of inactive Pirates pitchers to eight, but closer Keone Kela could rejoin the team soon.

After Kela missed all of spring training 2.0 and the start of the regular season on the injured list after testing positive for covid-19, he is working out at PNC Park, manager Derek Shelton said. There is no definite word on when Kela will be activated.

“It’s more just now we have to get up to — because of lost time — throwing volume and throwing off the mound,” Shelton said.

The other inactive pitchers are:

• Jameson Taillon (Tommy John surgery) and Chris Archer (finger numbness), who were ruled out for this season long ago.

• Clay Holmes (forearm) and Kyle Crick (shoulder).

• Edgar Santana, who is in the midst of a seasonlong suspension for PED use.

Howard and Ponce, who had been on the Pirates taxi squad, both appeared in Sunday’s 2-1 loss to the Chicago Cubs in 11 innings.

Howard, who pitched for the Colorado Rockies the past two seasons, struck out three and walked two in two scoreless innings.

Ponce, making his major league debut, suffered the loss, allowing a hit in one-third of an inning.

“First and foremost, they were here (in Chicago) with us on the taxi squad,” Shelton said. “It’s very easy to transition them in. Howard, adding another left-hander to our bullpen, which is nice. The guys in Altoona have been saying he’s been throwing the ball really well.”

JT Brubaker might be a candidate to replace Keller in the starting rotation, but Shelton said it’s too soon to make that call.

“We’ll see how Bru bounces back with the fact that he has gone three (innings Saturday night) and we’re talking through it from there.”

Love baseball? Stay up-to-date with the latest Pittsburgh Pirates news.