Pittsburgh Pirates general manager Ben Cherington provided updates on the team's top prospect, Paul Skenes, as well as the status of injured pitchers Ryan Borucki and Marco Gonzales during his recent radio show appearance on 93.7 The Fan.

Skenes, the first overall pick in the 2023 MLB Draft, has been making waves in the Triple-A level with his impressive performance. With a 0.39 ERA, 41 strikeouts, and six walks to his name, calls for his awaited MLB debut have been growing louder among Pirates fans. Cherington expressed satisfaction with Skenes' progress, noting that the young pitcher has been checking off all the necessary boxes since the season started.

Cherington praised Skenes' work ethic, stating that he is one of the most dedicated individuals in the minor leagues. Despite the occasional questioning of his presence, Skenes remains focused and driven to overcome challenges and improve. It is this determination that has impressed Cherington, who believes that Skenes' debut is now one step closer.

On the other hand, another former first overall pick of the Pirates, catcher Henry Davis, faced struggles at the plate and was sent down to Triple-A Indianapolis earlier in the week. Davis, 24 years old, had been serving as the team's everyday catcher but batted only .162 with no home runs and four RBIs in 23 games. Cherington, however, emphasized that Davis is still seen as an important part of the team's future plans.

Cherington acknowledged that Davis' main challenge this season was hitting fastballs, which contributed to his offensive struggles. Nevertheless, Cherington has full confidence in Davis' capabilities and believes that his time in Indianapolis will help him overcome these obstacles and develop further.

Regarding the injured pitchers, Cherington provided an update on Borucki and Gonzales. Borucki has been dealing with left triceps inflammation since April 6, while Gonzales has been on the 15-day injured list due to a left forearm muscle strain since April 14. Although Cherington did not provide specific timelines for their return, he expressed confidence that both pitchers will be back on the mound for the Pirates at some point in the 2024 season.

Cherington commended Borucki and Gonzales for their professionalism, hard work, and diligence in their recovery process. He assured fans that the players are putting in the necessary effort to ensure their successful return to the team when they are fully ready.

As Pirates fans eagerly anticipate the debut of top prospect Paul Skenes, and with injured pitchers Borucki and Gonzales on the road to recovery, the team continues to navigate the challenges of the 2024 season.