Pirates RHP Duane Underwood Jr. 'ready to go' after tossing scoreless inning at Altoona

ALTOONA – Duane Underwood Jr. has pitched in rehabilitation assignments at three levels of the Pittsburgh Pirates’ minor league system, and the right-hander doesn’t know where he’s headed next.

He’s hoping it’s back to PNC Park.

After tossing one scoreless inning for the Altoona Curve on Tuesday night, Underwood is hoping that the issues with the right hamstring strain he suffered in the season opener are behind him. His rehab has required stints at Low-A Bradenton to Triple-A Indianapolis and, now, Double-A Altoona.

“As far as where I’m going next and what’s happening next, I really don’t know,” Underwood said. “Everything was feeling good. The progression has been coming along great. Hammy feels amazing. Got the work in. Built up. Really whenever the big club needs me, I’m ready to go.”

Underwood replaced Enmanuel Mejia in the sixth inning of the Curve’s 4-3 win over Somerset at Peoples Natural Gas Field, giving up one hit and one walk with one strikeout while throwing 11 of his 18 pitches for strikes.

It was a slow start, as he gave up a leadoff walk to Jeissan Rosario, following a first-pitch strike by throwing four consecutive balls. Underwood got Derek Dietrich to fly out to center before giving up a double to Blake Perkins that put runners on second and third. Underwood recovered to strike out Chad Bell and get Rodolfo Duran to ground out to short to escape the jam.

“I felt great,” Underwood said. “I would have really liked to stay away from that leadoff walk, but other than that, got to mix all my pitches, threw some good fastballs, breaking ball was nice and out front. I didn’t even mix in a changeup today, but that’s always feeling pretty good for me. Everything was out in front. I was moving down the hill smooth. Not a lot of exertion. So, good day.”

The Pirates were pumped about Underwood in spring training after he added muscle and increased the velocity on his fastball in the offseason. They envisioned him moving into more of a hybrid high-leverage role, though it will be determined whether he is used as an opener or at the back end of the bullpen. Underwood said he’s open to whatever role Pirates manager Derek Shelton and pitching coach Oscar Marin want to use him.

“The message coming into camp was be ready at any point, for whatever you need to do. I’m accustomed to it,” Underwood said. “Wherever Duane Underwood Jr. is needed, that’s where I’m gonna go. That’s what I live by. It helps me with my mental game. It helps with my routine. Get the ball whenever skip calls your name.”