Wilber Dotel Handles Brand New Situation for Pirates in MLB Debut

Wilber Dotel, Pittsburgh Pirates

Wilber Dotel’s promotion to big leagues came sooner than expected thanks to a glaring need in the Pittsburgh Pirates bullpen.

The Pirates used six of their eight relief pitchers — and essentially all those who were available — in a 13-inning rain-interrupted game against the Tampa Bay Rays on Saturday.

Ahead of Sunday’s rubber match, the Pirates made a move. Cam Sanders, who was the first reliever used after a two hour and 27 minute rain delay on Saturday, was optioned to Triple-A Indianapolis and Dotel took his place on the roster.

Dotel, who was added to the team’s 40-man roster this offseason, made only three starts at Triple-A ahead of his promotion.

“Not really [expected], Dotel said of his promotion through coach/interpreter Stephen Morales. “But I felt my whole stay down there, if I control the things that I can control, it’s going to be a matter of time.”

Dotel has spent six seasons in the organization after he was signed out of the Dominican Republic for just $60,000 in 2020. The 23-year-old has emerged as one of the better arms in the system and is currently considered Pittsburgh’s 12th-best prospect by MLB Pipeline.

Dotel was 1-2 with a 6.28 ERA with Indianapolis to begin the season. While his numbers were underwhelming through the early portion of the season, Dotel feels he’s in a good spot.

“I’ve been feeling good, body-wise and everything, attacking the strike zone,” he said. “As always going about my business. I feel really good. Comfortable and good.”

Dotel was with Indianapolis in Omaha, Neb., when he was informed the Pirates were calling him up. The right-hander was in the middle of a pregame workout when he was told to stop.

Following a pretty hectic travel schedule, Dotel arrived in Pittsburgh in the hours leading up to Sunday’s first pitch.

“I had to go home after the game and get all my stuff ready,” he explained. “I woke up at 2 in the morning to catch a flight. The flight was fine. It was tough but not impossible, and we’re here.”