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| Zach Duke gave up three earned runs on four hits over 2.2 innings in tonight's 3-2 preseason loss to the Orioles. |
Our View: Duke went 11-16 with an unimpressive 4.06 ERA and 1.31 over 32 starts in 2009, and his fantasy stock remains low following tonight's poor performance.
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| Zach Duke's 2010 agreement with the Pirates will pay him $4.3 million, making him Pittsburgh's third highest paid player, according to Dejan Kovacevic of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. |
Our View: That's not as big of honor as it sounds like, considering the team's two highest paid players are Paul Maholm and Akinori Iwamura. In 32 starts last season, Duke went 11-16 with a 4.06 ERA.
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| Zach Duke has agreed to a one-year deal with the Pirates, avoiding arbitration, according to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Financial terms of the deal aren't known at this point. Duke is due a raise after making $2.2 million last year. |
Our View: Duke was reportedly on the block over the winter and will likely a candidate to be traded during the season. He has one more year arbitration eligibility before becoming a free agent in 2011.
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| The Pirates are reportedly willing to deal Zach Duke for the right price, according to InsidePittsburghSports.com. |
Our View: The Pirates decided not to offer Duke a multi-year deal, and are instead considering selling him high after making the All-Star team in 2009. Shortstop Reid Brignac of the Rays is one player the Pirates would like to acquire.
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| The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette is reporting that the Pirates don't plan on signing pitcher Zach Duke to a multi-year extension this winter. Duke will be a free agent after the 2011 season. |
Our View: The Pirates handed out extensions to several players last winter, but it doesn't look like they will repeat that strategy this year. Duke is still under control for two seasons, so there is no reason to worry about an extension at this point.
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| Zach Duke was masterful in his start against the Dodgers on Monday as the Pirates pounded LA by a score of 11-1. Duke went 8.2 innings and allowed one run on four hits while walking one and striking out six. |
Our View: Duke absolutely dominated for 8+ innings, and his only blemish came on a sac fly in the ninth. His 11-15 record is fairly misleading, as Duke has actually put together a very nice season with a 3.94 ERA.
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| Zach Duke was roughed up by the Reds on Tuesday, allowing five runs on nine hits and a walk over six innings. He fell to 10-15 on the season after the 10-4 loss. |
Our View: The Pirates All Star has been anything but since the mid summer classic. He's 2-7 with an ERA more than two full runs higher than his mark before the break.
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| Zach Duke held the Dodgers to just two runs on four hits over 7.1 innings on Tuesday. He fanned seven and didn't walk a man, but was denied the win as the Pirates bullpen imploded and they fell 5-4 in 13 innings. |
Our View: Duke showed some resilience against a tough team on Tuesday. It was his best start of the season since May 22nd and came on the heels of him getting blasted by the Cubs his last time out. Nice to see him get back on the horse.
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| Zach Duke got absolutely mauled on Tuesday night, allowing eight straight hits and seven runs in the first inning of the Pirates' 9-4 loss to Chicago. He would depart after four innings and eight earned runs. |
Our View: Duke now has an ugly 12.46 ERA in his past three starts, and could have his 26-year-old arm shutdown for the rest of 2009.
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| Zach Duke was ineffective for the second straight start on Wednesday, allowing five runs in six innings, as the Pirates lost 5-3 in Cincinnati. |
Our View: Duke is now 0-2 with a 10.00 ERA in his past two starts. He has also allowed four home runs in that span.
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| Zach Duke has his worst outing of the year by far on Friday, allowing 11 hits and seven runs in just three innings, as the Pirates lost 8-6 in Milwaukee. |
Our View: Duke had gone at least seven innings in three straight starts before tonight's disaster. He is now 10-12 with a 3.68 ERA in 26 starts this season.
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| Zach Duke was very good on Saturday, and his team finally got him some run support as the Pirates dominated the Reds 12-2. Duke went seven innings and allowed two runs on eight hits while striking out two. |
Our View: Duke lowered his ERA to 3.38 on the season, and his 10-11 record is a far cry from what it actually should be. Duke can help out fantasy rosters, bt don't expect big strikeout or win numbers. He can help lower your ERA, however.
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| Unsurprisingly, Zach Duke was the hard luck loser on Saturday. The Pirates ace allowed just three runs in 7.1 innings, but got just one run of support, as Pittsburgh lost 3-1 at Wrigley Field. |
Our View: Duke is now 9-11, but has a very solid ERA of 3.42 and WHIP of 1.25.
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| The Pirates wasted Zach Duke's great start on Sunday, unravelling after he left in the eighth inning en route to losing 7-3 to the Cardinals. |
Our View: Duke had allowed just two runs at the time of his departure with one out in the eighth, but had another charged to him and took a no-decision as the Pirates pen allowed four runs. He now has a 3.40 ERA and 1.24 WHIP on the season.
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| Zach Duke got knocked around by the Diamondbacks on Tuesday as the Pirates fell 6-0. Duke went five innings and allowed five runs on nine hits while walking two and striking out one. |
Our View: Duke has been good for the most part this season, but he got hit hard by a very mediocre D-Backs' lineup tonight. Duke isn't a big strikeout guy, and his upside is very limited playing for the Pirates. Assuming he returns to form, he can still contribute down the stretch for fantasy owners.
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| Zach Duke allowed no runs and only seven baserunners in seven innings on Wednesday, but took a no-decision as the Pirates undermanned offense couldn't get anything going in a 1-0 extra-inning loss. |
Our View: Duke's ERA now sits at 3.26. As long as you aren't hoping for a lot of wins, he should continue to boost your team going forward.
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| Zach Duke gave up three earned runs on 10 hits over 6.1 innings in Friday's 10-3 win at Arizona. He had one walk and four strikeouts. |
Our View: Duke snapped his four-game losing streak, and evened his record to 9-9. He needs one more win to tie his season high of 10, set back in 2006.
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| Zach Duke allowed four runs in seven innings on Sunday, one too many, as the Pirates lost 4-3 to the Giants at home. |
Our View: The All-Star Duke is now 8-9 on the season, even though he has an ERA of 3.38 and WHIP of 1.20. Things shouldn't get any easier for him as the season progresses, as the Pirates are likely to trade off some key offensive cogs, but he is a great option as long as you aren't expecting too many wins.
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| Accoeding to the Twitter page of Pirates' beat writer Dejan Kovacevic, Pittsburgh starter Zach Duke has been added to the NL All-Star team. No word on who he is replacing, but it would appear to be Matt Cain, who was injured Saturday night. |
Our View: Duke has eight wins for the Pirates this season, and he has compiled and ERA of 3.29 and has struck out 65. Seems like an interesting choice as a replacement, but he certainly has good numbers.
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| Zach Duke gave up three earned runs on five hits over eight innings in Friday's 3-2 loss at Philadelphia. He had three walks and six strikeouts. |
Our View: It was not a bad outing for Duke, but he falls to 8-8 due to poor run support from his teammates. He is winless over his last three starts, but still leads the Pirates with a 3.29 ERA.
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| Zach Duke took his seventh loss of the season on Saturday, allowing four runs in six innings of work, as the Marlins beat Pittsburgh 5-3 on the Fourth of July. |
Our View: Duke is still having a decent fantasy season, however. His 3.20 ERA and 1.21 WHIP are both very solid numbers, and he has managed to win eight games despite losing seven. He doesn't strike out too many batters, but you could do worse than having him on your team.
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| Zach Duke gave up three earned runs on seven hits over seven innings in Monday's 3-1 loss to the Cubs at PNC Park. He had one walk and three strikeouts. |
Our View: Duke falls to 8-6, but still leads the Pirates with a 3.13 ERA. Tonight's outing was not bad, but his teammates did not provide enough offensive support for him to win.
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| Zach Duke was in control from the mound in Wednesday's 10-6 win over the Indians at PNC Park, as he only issued one earned run on five hits over six innings. He had two walks and four strikeouts. |
Our View: Duke collected his team-leading eighth win of the season, and is 3-1 so far in June. He should remain a solid fantasy hurler despite playing for a weak team.
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| Zach Duke was hit with his fifth loss of the season on Thursday as the Pirates fell to the Twins by a score of 5-1. Duke went six innings and allowed three runs on seven hits while walking two. He is now 7-5 on the year. |
Our View: Duke wasn't bad today, but his offense was. While the hitters were struggling to figure out Twins' starter Nick Blackburn, Duke was trying his best to keep them in the game. He isn't a dominating pitcher, but he is a reliable option who seems to produce good starts of a regular basis.
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| Zach Duke gave up three earned runs on six hits over eight innings in Saturday's 9-3 win over the Tigers at PNC Park. He had one walk and three strikeouts. |
Our View: Duke bounced back well from his last start when he surrendered six runs at Atlanta. He has been the Pirates' best hurler, and leads the club with seven wins.
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| Zach Duke struggled in Monday's 7-6 loss at Atlanta, as he gave up six earned runs on 11 hits over six innings. He had two walks and two strikeouts, and allowed three homers. |
Our View: The battle took 15 innings to declare a winner, and Duke is lucky he was dealt a no-decision rather than a loss. He has been pitching well as of late, but suffered one of his worst outings of the season tonight. He leads the Pirates with six wins, and should remain active in fantasy leagues though.
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| Zach Duke was in control from the hill, as he only allowed one earned run on eight hits over seven innings in Tuesday's 3-1 win over the Mets at PNC Park. He had one walk and no strikeouts. |
Our View: Duke is pitching well as he earned a win in three of his last five starts. He has allowed two or less runs in each of his last three outings, and has been a pleasant surprise in fantasy leagues.
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| Zach Duke allowed two runs on eight hits and two walks over seven innings on Wednesday, but did not factor in the decision as the bullpen imploded and the Pirates fell to the Cubs 5-3. |
Our View: Duke has been excellent this season. He's had seven quality starts this season and his ERA sits at a surprising 2.75. He's become a solid option in all fantasy formats.
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| Zach Duke fell to 5-4 as he took his ninth straight decision in Friday's 2-0 loss to the White Sox. He pitched all eight innings for the Pirates and allowed six hits, two walks, and struck out seven in the loss. |
Our View: Despite the loss, Duke pitched pretty good tonight. He has gone at least seven innings in six of his nine starts and his ERA has not been above 3.00 all season long. He ranks second in the NL with 65 innings pitched.
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| Zach Duke picked up his fifth win of the season with seven innings of work in Pittsburgh's 11-4 win over the Rockies on Sunday. He allowed four runs on six hits and two walks, while striking out four in the game. |
Our View: Duke has been a very efficient pitcher this season, as he is working deeper into games without expending a ton of pitches. He is showing some sure signs of maturation and although his strikeout rate is low, he is getting wins and keeping his WHIP low.
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| Zach Duke was sensational against the Cardinals on Tuesday as he allowed just one run on four hits and a walk over eight innings. He struck out five and earned his fourth win of the season. |
Our View: Duke now has a 2.52 ERA on the season and is finally showing the talent that scouts always knew he had. It took him four years, but he now looks like the solid starter with the nasty curve ball that we previewed in his rookie season.
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| Zach Duke fell to 3-3 as the Pirates lost 4-2 in St. Louis on Wednesday. The southpaw allowed six hits, two walks, and four runs in 5.1 innings of work. He struck out two hitters. |
Our View: This is more like the Duke that most people expected. Entering the season, he was only 4-22 in road starts, and if you own him you may want to think twice about starting him away from PNC Park.
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| Zach Duke was very good again on Friday, but his team couldn't muster any run support as the Pirates lost to the Reds 4-0. Duke went seven innings and allowed one run on six hits with two walks and five strikeouts. |
Our View: Duke has been excellent so far in 2009, and he kept it going tonight. Even though he took the loss, Duke showed he is the real deal. He is a strong buy in all leagues, but beware if he starts to struggle.
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| Zach Duke nearly had his second complete game of the season but was lifted after one out in the ninth in the Pirates 10-1 win over the Padres on Saturday. He threw 114 pitches while allowing six hits, two walks and one earned run. The southpaw struck out five Padres. |
Our View: Duke got hit pretty hard in his last outing against the Braves but has been otherwise spectacular this season. The 26-year-old is 3-1 and while he's not a strikeout pitcher, he is certainly worth rostering at this point in the season.
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| Zach Duke gave up 12 hits in six innings as the Pirates fell 11-1 to the Braves on Sunday. He gave up six earned runs and posted two strikeouts. |
Our View: Duke was coming off a complete game shutout against the Astros, and resembled a different pitcher against the Braves. His 83 pitches thrown today were simply to hittable. Fantasy owners should hold onto him for at least one more start before giving up on his hot start to the season.
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| Zach Duke tossed a complete game shutout in Monday's game against the Astros. He surrendered only four hits while striking out five, earning his second win in two starts. |
Our View: Duke has been impressive thus far in his two starts, allowing only one earned run total against two decent lineups in the Cardinals and Astros. Duke proved he could be an effective pitcher in his rookie season, and his start to 2009 looks very promising, especially considering the apparent improvement of the Pirates' lineup.
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| Zach Duke got the best of the Cardinals on Wednesday. He scattered five hits over 6.1 innings and only allowed one earned run. He walked two, struck out four and earned the win. |
Our View: After winning his first two career starts against the Birds, he lost his next four, but it looks like he's back to his old tricks. If Zach Duke the rookie shows up again, he's a decent fantasy pick up. But beware of Zach Duke the failed prospect. He's been around a lot longer.
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| Zach Duke will make his first start of the season tonight at St. Louis, according to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. |
Our View: Duke has only won eight games over his last two campaigns with Pittsburgh, and is 2-4 with a 4.27 ERA and 1.52 WHIP over nine career starts against the Cardinals. A solid outing is not expected from him tonight at Busch Stadium.
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| Zach Duke threw five scoreless innings, with four hits allowed, in Friday's 4-4 tie against the Twins, with no walks and two strikeouts. The game ended after 10 innings. |
Our View: Duke closed out the exhibition season on a high note, but won't be a viable source for strikeouts, or likely wins while playing for the Pirates, who lost 95 games in 2008.
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| Zach Duke did not allow a run in five innings pitched against the Rays on Monday. He walked two but also struck out four. |
Our View: Duke can be impressive at times, like today and at small increments during his 10-win season of 2006, but he tends to be very hittable and doesn't possess the velocity to get away with his average stuff. He routinely gives up more than a hit per inning and thus cannot be relied upon to be a difference-maker in many fantasy leagues.
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| Zach Duke allowed two earned runs on five hits over five innings in Wednesday's 4-3 win over Minnesota, with one walk and four strikeouts. He issued two homers. |
Our View: Duke is not going to be a viable source for strikeouts or wins this season, especially while playing for the Pirates. He should be left for NL-only leagues.
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| Zach Duke looked great on Friday, going 3.2 scoreless innings against Philadelphia while allowing just one hit and one walks and striking out two. |
Our View: He's now given up just two runs in 9.2 innings this spring but will still have a tough time winning many games in Pittsburgh, limiting his value to NL-only leagues.
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| Zach Duke had a fine outing in his start against the Reds going two innings, allowing two hits and striking out one. Duke did not walk a man and his spring ERA now stands at an even 3.00. |
Our View: A relatively cemented candidate to make the Bucs rotation, Duke could be a late sleeper if he regains some consistency and reverts to his form when he broke into the league in 2005.
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| Zach Duke is enjoying a solid off-season and is slimmer with improved arm strength, according to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. |
Our View: Duke will be looking to bounce back in 2009 after only winning five of 31 starts last season, with a poor 1.50 WHIP. He could be a pleasant surprise for deeper NL-only leagues.
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| The Pirates have avoided salary arbitration with Zach Duke by signing him to a one-year deal worth $2.2 million, according to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. The contract includes $100,000 in performance incentives. Duke only made $400,000 last season. |
Our View: Duke has been inconsistent and held a poor 4.82 ERA and 1.50 WHIP over 31 starts last season, but should still hold onto his rotation spot out of spring training.
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| Zach Duke tossed seven innings of one-run ball against the Brewers on Thursday. He scattered seven hits and struck out two but got a no-decision as the Brewers won in extra innings. |
Our View: Duke continues to be very inconsistent and he's usually more bad than good. He is 5-14 this season with a 4.82 ERA.
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| Zach Duke fell to 5-14 on Thursday night as he lasted just 4.2 innings while permitting six Astros runners to cross the plate (only two were earned). |
Our View: Duke owns a terrible 4.32 K/9 mark and an equally scary K/BB of 1.80. Toss in a 4.84 ERA and a WHIP of 1.51, and you would have to be a masochist to have this guy in your rotation.
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| Zach Duke threw a complete game shutout against the Giants on Friday night in San Francisco. He gave up six hits and struck out four in the 7-0 victory. |
Our View: In his last start Duke lasted eight innings and only gave up two runs. Still, Duke is just 5-13 and his excellent performance brings his ERA down to just 4.87. He remains too inconsistent to warrant serious consideration in fantasy leagues.
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| Even though Zach Duke took the loss against the Cubs today, he performed very well. Duke lasted eight innings while striking out six. The Cubs did all of their scoring in the seventh inning and swept the three game series against the Pirates. |
Our View: Duke dropped to 4-13 on the season with today's loss.
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| Zach Duke allowed eight hits over six innings to the Mets on Monday, and though he allowed five runs, only three were earned in the no decision. |
Our View: Duke owns a 5.10 ERA and a 1.56 WHIP over 24 starts and simply has been unable to offer much value to his fantasy owners.
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| The pitchers hit the mound and engaged in a strong battle of wits and strength this evening, but the D'backs pulled the victory and left Pittsburgh LHP Zach Duke with frustration. Duke pitched seven innings, allowing two runs (both earned) on four hits with one walk and six strikeouts. |
Our View: It's tough to take a loss on such a strong performance, but the offense wasn't there to bring it through. Coming off a horrific month of July, going 0-4 over six starts, it's a disappointing result to a performance that may have reversed his fortunes.
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| Zach Duke fell to 4-9 on the year on Wednesday night after being hit hard to the tune of six runs in five innings against the Rockies. |
Our View: Duke has now lost five straight decisions and hasn't won in nine starts. As recently as July 1st his ERA was 3.88, but after tonight's beat down it sits at 5.27.
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| One of the most offensively challenged teams in all of baseball, the San Diego Padres, hit Zach Duke hard on Friday, as the lefty allowed five runs on seven hits in six innings of work. |
Our View: Duke has now lost his last three decisions and his ERA has jumped from 3.88 to 5.04 in the month of July.
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| Zach Duke was hit all over the yard on Friday by the St. Louis Cardinals. He gave up 10 hits and five earned runs in six innings pitched. |
Our View: He also gave up two home runs, making it four in his 8.1 innings pitched.
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| Pittsburgh LHP Zach Duke lasted just five innings in Pittsburgh's 11-inning win over the Cincinnati Reds, and while he failed to get a role in the decision, he certainly did what he could to keep his team in the mix. Duke pitched five innings to surrender one run over six hits with two walks and three strikeouts. |
Our View: Duke could have used the win, suffering two no-decisions and one loss over his last three starts coming into tonight. He hasn't allowed a home run since June 9th and has just five walks surrendered in his starts since.
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| Zach Duke had another rough outing on Wednesday in his fifth loss of the season. Though he allowed only three earned runs, four overall, he allowed seven hits and two walks to the Yankees. |
Our View: In four of his last six outings Duke has permitted two or fewer earned runs, but he just doesn't miss enough bats to be consistent game to game making him a risk to blow up, in either direction, in almost every outing.
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| Zach Duke matched Roy Halladay almost pitch for pitch on Friday night as he held the Blue Jays scoreless for seven innings. Duke allowed six hits while walking just a single batter on the night. |
Our View: Duke has allowed two or fewer earned runs in four of his last five starts thanks to greatly improved control. He is still a risk in mixed leagues given his inability to make batters swing and miss, but he looks solid for the time being.
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| Zach Duke only allowed two earned runs on five hits over six innings in Monday's 5-3 victory over the Diamondbacks, with two walks and five strikeouts. One of the runs given up came on a Mark Reynolds homer. |
Our View: Duke evened his record to 4-4 with the win, and lowered his ERA to 4.10. He is now 2-0 in June, and only allowed two earned runs in his previous outing on the 4th (against Houston).
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| Pittsburgh LHP Zach Duke earned his third win of the season this evening, supporting his Pirates through a 5-2 win over Houston. Duke pitched 7 2/3 innings, allowing just two runs on seven hits with two walks and two strikeouts. |
Our View: Duke had suffered consecutive losses coming into this match, but tonight he pitched well and has started June with a positive note.
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| Zach Duke has had his next scheduled start pushed back from Thursday to Friday due to a callus on his hand, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports. The southpaw was due to face the Reds but will now take on the Cardinals. Phil Dumatrait will swap spots with Duke. |
Our View: We don't imagine this ruins anyone's plans, except maybe if any Duke or Dumatrait family members were headed to the park.
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| Zach Duke evened his season record to 2-2 in Monday's 5-0 victory over Atlanta in the first game of a double-header. Duke was in solid form as he hurled six shutout innings, with only five hits allowed. He had five walks with three strikeouts. |
Our View: Duke lowered his ERA to 4.04, and has now only allowed five earned runs over his last three starts (20.1 innings).
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| The Atlanta Braves and Pittsburgh Pirates will play a doubleheader Monday after their game Sunday was postponed by rain.
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Our View: The doubleheader will begin at 12:35 p.m. Jair Jurrjens will start the first game for Atlanta against #5501 Zach Duke# , and Pittsburgh's John Van Benschoten will face Tim Hudson in the nightcap.
Duke and Jurrjens had been the scheduled starters Sunday.
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| Zach Duke will be looking to claim his first win of the season tonight when the Pirates host the Giants, according to MLB.com. Duke is 0-2 over six starts with a 4.79 ERA and poor 1.63 WHIP. |
Our View: Duke should not be in your lineups tonight, especially since he only racked up 10 strikeouts over 35.2 innings pitched.
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| Zach Duke rebounded from two rough starts to hurl seven innings of two run ball for the Pirates on Thursday. Duke allowed five hits and a walk while striking out one Nationals batter. |
Our View: Zuke is the type of soft tossing starter that can have a lot of success one night and get lit up the next. Tonight he was on, the last two times he wasn't (11 ER in 10 IP). Tread carefully with him.
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| Zach Duke is still winless with an 0-1 mark over four starts, according to MLB.com. He will try to break into the win column tonight against the Phillies. He is 1-1 with a 3.65 ERA over his career against Philadelphia. |
Our View: Duke went 3-8 in 2007, and is back to his old antics as he holds a 1.76 WHIP and 4.37 ERA over 22.1 innings this season, with a mere seven strikeouts. He will duel with Adam Eaton tonight, who is also winless in 2008.
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| Zach Duke, who was 4-2 with a 2.01 ERA in nine previous starts against Chicago, allowed five runs on eight hits in four innings of work in Sunday's 13-6 loss. |
Our View: The left-handers ERA climbed from 2.89 to 4.37. He walked two and hit two batters. Only 36 of his 69 pitches were for strikes.
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| Zach Duke scattered seven hits, allowed one walk and hit a batter in seven innings, but limited the Cubs to only one run. The Cubs could never collect the clutch hit when they needed it. The Pirates left-handed starter struck out six and walked but one in his no-decision. |
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| Zach Duke was dealt a no decision in his first start, and will be looking for his first win today as he challenges the Cubs, according to MLB.com. Duke is 4-2 with a 2.10 ERA in eight career starts against the Cubs, and will duel with hurler Ryan Dempster, who is 1-0 with a 1.50 ERA so far this season. |
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| Zach Duke was in command as he earned his second spring win against Detroit on Wednesday. He only allowed one run on six hits over five innings, with no walks and five strikeouts. He lowered his spring ERA to 3.32 and could provide solid value as a late round draft pick if he can continue to pitch like this. |
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| Zach Duke held the Tigers to one run over five innings of work on Wednesday. He allowed six hits, walked none, and struck out five. For the spring, Duke owns a 3.32 ERA and has yet to walk a batter over 19.0 innings. He will be in the rotation to start the year and could help out NL-only fantasy teams if he can continue to keep down the walks. |
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| Zach Duke enjoyed his best performance of the spring on Monday as he threw five scoreless innings with three hits allowed against Toronto. He only threw 51 pitches, with 32 being strikes. He could serve as a decent fantasy reserve, especially if he can find some consistency. |
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| Zach Duke made his second start of the spring and allowed two runs on five hits, over four innings. Duke induced seven ground ball outs, struck out one batter and walked none. The Pirates left-hander threw 66 pitches, 44 for strikes. Duke isn't even on mixed league radars, but is a reserve option in NL-only formats. |
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| New Pirates pitching coach Jeff Andrews considers his top priority to be getting Zach Duke to regain his form from his rookie year. "He can pitch," Andrews told the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. "I think he's going to come out of it." Duke was 8-2 with a 1.81 ERA in 2005 but holds a 4.83 ERA over the last two seasons. |
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| The Pirates originally said that Zach Duke would be used only in relief after coming back following a three-month absence due to a sore elbow, but now the team has penciled in Duke to start on Saturday. The lefty gave up one run in three relief innings last Saturday in his first game since June. Duke holds a 5.70 ERA in 18 games this year, and manager Jim Tracy said that the team needs Duke to regain the form that allowed him to post a 1.81 ERA in 14 starts his rookie year. "We need him," Tracy said in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. "Believe me: We need Zach Duke." |
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| Zach Duke returned to the mound Saturday for the first time since missing three months with a sore elbow, according to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. He allowed two runs (one earned) in three innings of relief. Manager Jim Tracy is uncertain whether he'll give Duke a start over the final two weeks. Either way, there's no reason to have Duke on your roster right now. |
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| The Pirates activated Zach Duke from the DL Tuesday. He had been out with an elbow injury. Duke will be used out of the bullpen down the stretch. |
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| Pirates starter Zach Duke will be used out of the bullpen when he is activated from the disabled list, according to the Associated Press. |
Our View: Stick a fork in Duke’s fantasy value for the rest of the season if you hadn’t done so already.
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| Zach Duke is a candidate to come off the DL to start Wednesday for the Pirates. However, manager Jim Tracy will not commit to starting Duke because of the lefties' struggles in his latest rehab appearance, according to the AP. Duke allowed two runs on seven hits and two walks in 3 2/3 innings for Triple-A Indianapolis. |
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| Zach Duke will throw a bullpen session at PNC Park today before making what should be his final rehab start for Triple-A Indianapolis Saturday. Barring any setbacks, Duke should return to the Bucs rotation next week, according to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. |
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| Zach Duke will pitch a sideline session in Pittsburgh on Wednesday before a planned minor league rehabilitation start for Triple-A Indianapolis, the AP reports. Duke (elbow) hasn't pitched for the Pirates since late June. |
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| Zach Duke pitched his final rehab game for Bradenton of the Gulf Coast League Monday, allowing one run and three hits in four innings. Duke's next outing could come at Triple-A Indianapolis, according to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. The lefty is coming back from an elbow injury. |
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| Zach Duke threw a bullpen session Tuesday and will have another today. Manager Jim Tracy described it as a "very encouraging" sign for the lefty's sore pitching elbow, according to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. There is still no timetable for Duke's return. |
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| There is still no timetable for Zach Duke to begin throwing off a mound. Duke has been sidelined since late June with a sore pitching elbow, according to the Post-Gazette. |
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| Zach Duke (elbow) will start light throwing Monday in Florida, the AP reports. Duke was told by multiple doctors he doesn't need surgery, but his return to the team is uncertain. |
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| Zach Duke was eligible to come off the disabled list on Saturday, but the team plans to keep him shut down until he is free of pain caused by tendinitis in his left elbow, the AP reports. Duke is at the team's spring headquarters in Bradenton, Fla. |
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| Zach Duke won't throw for a couple of weeks as he waits for his aching left elbow to calm down, and his return to the Pirates' rotation is still uncertain, according to the AP. After tests conducted by the Pirates revealed irritation in his ulnar collateral ligament, Duke sought a second opinion Friday from orthopedist James Andrews in Birmingham, Ala. Andrews' findings were nearly the same as those by the Pirates' doctors, manager Jim Tracy said Friday. |
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| Zach Duke was told Monday that he doesn't have structural damage in his sore pitching elbow, and will seek a second opinion later this week, according to the AP. Duke was told he has irritation in his ulnar collateral ligament that can be cured by rest. He will be examined Friday by Dr. James Andrews, who has performed numerous operations on pitchers. |
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| Zach Duke was placed on the disabled list Sunday after skipping his planned throwing session. He undergo tests on his sore left elbow on Monday, according to the AP. "I still felt the same, so there wasn't any reason for me to throw today," Duke said. "It's scary to have to miss time in the rotation like this. This is my first time with something like this. I've never gone through this before." Shane Youman will replace Duke in the starting rotation. |
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| Zach Duke will miss his scheduled start Tuesday against Milwaukee because of left elbow tendinitis, the AP reports. He hopes to miss only one start, but won't pitch again until the tightness is gone from his elbow. Shawn Chacon will likely get the call in his place Tuesday. Duke hasn't been effective most of the year, and he was particular ineffective in June (6.21 ERA, 1.89 ratio). There's no format where you want to be using him right now. |
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| Zach Duke will take one extra day of rest and pitch on Sunday at Cincinnati instead of Saturday, the Pirates official site reports. He's got a cracked nail on the middle finger of his pitching hand. Paul Maholm and Tony Armas will work before Duke in the series. |
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| The Pirates have selected Zach Duke as their opening day starter against Houston, according to the AP. "It's always special to pitch in Houston, but it's a great honor to know I'm going to pitch in the opener there," Duke said. "I don't get too excited about things, but it's hard not to be excited about this news. I'm glad I found out now because I'm going to need a few weeks to find enough tickets for everyone who will want to be there." Manager Jim Tracy said the final decision came down to Duke and Ian Snell. |
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