Hunter Barco
Breakdown
Performance
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July 31, 2026
Flounders in bulk relief
Barco took a no-decision Thursday against the Reds, allowing two runs on five hits and three walks in three relief innings. He struck out two.
Analysis
Working in long relief behind opener Yohan Ramirez, Barco was mostly ineffective in a laborious outing Thursday. The southpaw landed only 42 of his 72 pitches for strikes, walking multiple batters in his fourth consecutive major-league appearance while failing to work at least five frames in any of them. Through 14.2 innings, Barco has a disastrous 7.36 ERA, 2.11 WHP and 10:12 K:BB and might soon be headed back to Triple-A Indianapolis following his first big-league showing since April 28.
July 29, 2026
Could work in bulk relief Thursday
Barco could be used as a bulk reliever behind opening pitcher Yohan Ramirez in Thursday's game in Cincinnati, Danny Demilio of PittsburghBaseballNow.com reports.
Analysis
The Pirates recalled Barco from Triple-A Indianapolis on Wednesday, but he went unused in relief during the team's 3-0 loss to the Diamondbacks. With Ramirez likely to be limited to one or two innings Thursday in his first big-league start, Barco will be the freshest arm in the Pittsburgh bullpen and is one of the few options who's capable of covering multiple frames. Barco has handled a swingman role at Triple-A for most of the season, posting a 4.87 ERA, 1.56 WHIP and 49:23 K:BB in 44.1 innings.
July 29, 2026
Added to bullpen
The Pirates recalled Barco from Triple-A Indianapolis on Wednesday, Jason Mackey of MLB.com reports.
Analysis
Barco has appeared in five games out of the Pittsburgh bullpen this season, logging a 7.71 ERA and 8:9 K:BB over 11.2 innings. The left-hander has been pitching in relief lately with Indianapolis and can provide length for a Pirates bullpen that's been overused of late.
