Earlier this month, Pirates manager Derek Shelton told TribLive.com he was very happy with the way Brubaker was pitching.
“He’s done a nice job,” Shelton said. “He threw the ball well again (July 12). He threw three innings. He was extremely efficient. He threw 32 pitches, put the ball on the ground.
“Last time he threw, I was able to sit behind the plate, and he executed some really good pitches inside to left-handers. (Sunday), it was just as sharp. It’s good to see that he continues to build up and he’s maintaining his sharpness.”
A 2012 Tecumseh graduate who pitched three seasons for the Akron Zips, Brubaker was on a path to the big leagues after posting an 8-4 record and 3.10 ERA with the Triple-A Indianapolis Indians in 2018. Then a right forearm strain a year ago delayed his ascent.
Brubaker, 26, made four starts in April of 2019 for Indianapolis and then two rehab starts in June with the Class A West Virginia Black Bears. He worked out at the Pirates’ spring training facility for much of the spring and said in May he was 100 percent healthy and ready for whatever the Pirates needed this summer.
Last week, Brubaker, a sixth-round pick in the 2015 draft, was named to the Pirates’ 30-man roster.
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