PITTSBURGH — Pittsburgh Pirates right-handed starting pitcher Paul Skenes battles a familiar opponent, who he took on earlier this month. Skenes will start the

The Pittsburgh Pirates are reportedly promoting baseball's top pitching prospect to make his MLB debut as early as Friday.

Skenes last pitched on Tuesday against the Milwaukee Brewers in one of his poorest starts of the year, lasting just four innings while giving up four earned runs in the Pirates’ 14-0 loss. Granted, the Brewers swept the Pirates as part of their 14-game losing streak that was just broken on Sunday against the Cincinnati Reds.