The Pirates organization has decided to shut down pitcher Paul Skenes for the season. The Pirates believe Skenes is ready for his next step in the organization and they are satisfied that next step should be spring training in 2024 after an active season for the top overall selection in this year’s MLB draft. The Pirates signed Skenes for a record $9.2 million bonus on July 18, nine days after they drafted him out of LSU.
Skenes was in line to start Thursday against Harrisburg, which would have matched him up with former LSU teammate Dylan Crews.