Paul Skenes is being gifted a break.
The Pirates have decided to move Skenes’ next start back three days, favoring extra rest for their ace amid his worst stretch of his young career.
The three-time All-Star, who was spotted enjoying a beach day in Miami with girlfriend Livvy Dunne earlier in the week, was initially slated to start Sunday against the Red Sox.
Instead, he will take the mound on Wednesday against the Tigers, manager Don Kelly announced Saturday, while adding the decision has nothing to do with an injury.
“Ultimately, it was Donny’s decision,” Skenes told reporters following Saturday’s 4-0 loss to Boston, per MLB.com. “But we had talked about it — and like I said after the last start, I’ll have his back on whatever that is. I don’t necessarily disagree with the decision either.”
The decision comes four days after Skenes saw a shocking downturn on Tuesday against the Marlins at IoanDepot Park.
He only threw five innings — just 65 pitches — before he was pulled from the 2-0 loss.
Skenes gave up a solo homer in the bottom of the third inning and an RBI single in the fifth to yield two runs.
The 24-year-old also did not throw a fastball higher than 96.5 mph on Tuesday. In 2025, he registered 99 mph or higher on his heater 68 times.
The outing marked his third of 65 or fewer pitches this season after only doing so twice across his first two big league seasons.
This year, the Pirates haven’t seen the Cy Young award winner’s best form.
With a 3.88 ERA, 1.12 WHIP and each of his starts in August only lasting five innings, Skenes has pulled up far short of where he was expected in his third year.
Additionally, his fastball clocked in at an average 98.2 mph last year. This season, it has dropped to 96.9 mph.
“If I were the manager I’d probably do it too,” Skenes said after Tuesday’s start, according to USA Today. “He walked me through everything and it all made sense.
“Wish I could have gone more but, you know, it kind of is what it is.”
The Pirates (60-65) face Boston in a rubber match on Sunday at 1:35 p.m.
