Bubba Chandler Could Make MLB Debut as Pirates Face Rotation Shakeup After Bailey Falter Injury

The Pirates’ Bubb Chandler is the most anticipated pitching prospect in MLB. Could his MLB debut be coming soon? 

Patience, they say, is a virtue — but in baseball, it’s also a luxury not every team can afford. Just days after Pirates general manager Ben Cherington urged caution with top pitching prospect Bubba Chandler, the winds in Pittsburgh are shifting. Fast.

When left-hander Bailey Falter exited his start early against the Los Angeles Angels with lower back tightness, what followed was a familiar silence from the Pirates’ medical staff — no timetable, no diagnosis, just a quiet uncertainty. But with uncertainty comes opportunity. And for Bubba Chandler, that opportunity may be arriving sooner than anyone expected.

Bubba Chandler: The Next Big Thing?

Chandler, the 22-year-old right-hander, has been nothing short of electric to start the season in Triple-A Indianapolis. Across four starts, he’s compiled a dazzling 1.76 ERA, a razor-thin 0.78 WHIP, and 23 strikeouts in just 15 innings of work. His fastball consistently touches triple digits, while his slider and changeup continue to evolve into major-league-ready weapons.

If the Pirates are forced to make a move, Chandler stands as the most obvious — and most exciting — choice.

Oh my god –

Bubba Chandler just hit 101.5mph on this strikeout

Yes, this would register at 102mph pic.twitter.com/NABRerKYpo

— Christian ✞ (@CWolfPGH) April 13, 2025

A Familiar Blueprint for Success

The Pirates have seen this story before. Just last year, they carefully managed Paul Skenes’ innings before giving him the call-up that changed the course of their season. That same cautious but calculated approach is being used with Chandler, slowly building his pitch count while allowing his arm to adapt to the demands of a full starter’s workload.

Now, as Pittsburgh faces a rotation in flux, they may need to accelerate that plan.

Reliever Carmen Mlodzinski is already being stretched into a starting role with Jared Jones sidelined. Dipping further into the bullpen would stretch an already thin staff. Which leaves Chandler — a player with the raw talent, the numbers, and the momentum to step in.

The Case for Chandler

Chandler wasn’t expected to break camp with the big league club. His spring training was uneven, surrendering five runs in 2 2/3 innings, walking four of the 12 hitters he faced. But beneath the surface, his potential was clear. His fastball was electric, his slider devastating, and his presence undeniable.

Can the Pirates just call up Bubba Chandler already? pic.twitter.com/MNtWh7Tdog

— Thomas Nestico (@TJStats) April 19, 2025

Last season, across two minor league stops, Chandler struck out 148 batters in 119 2/3 innings, posting a 3.08 ERA and a 1.01 WHIP. Walks remain a concern — 20 issued across his last 50 Triple-A innings — but the stuff? It’s major league ready.

Cherington preached patience. But baseball, as always, has a way of forcing decisions. If Falter’s injury is more than a minor setback, the Pirates may need Chandler sooner than planned. And if that call comes, don’t expect him to simply fill a gap. Expect him to shine.

In a season where every arm matters, Chandler isn’t just another option. He’s the future. And the future might just arrive ahead of schedule.