PITTSBURGH — After Saturday night’s loss, Don Kelly announced that the Pirates are pushing back Paul Skenes’ scheduled start from Sunday to Wednesday.

Kelly explained the decision as just giving Skenes more rest.

“He was ready to go,” Kelly said. “Feel like it will give him a few more days to recover. And also, as we go through that, give other guys on the back side an extra day, as well.”

Kelly added that Skenes has “given us no indication that it's injury-related.”

Skenes said the decision was made on Saturday when he showed up at the field. He threw his typical between-starts bullpen on Friday and felt ready to throw Sunday, but didn’t disagree with the extra rest. He’ll now pitch Wednesday against the Detroit Tigers at 12:35 p.m. ET.

“Ultimately, it was Donnie's decision, but we had talked about it,” Skenes said. “Like I said after the last start, I'll have his back on whatever [decisions he makes]. I don't necessarily disagree with the decision, either.”

It’s possible that the forecast played into the decision. It’s expected to rain all day Sunday.

Skenes has struggled this season, posting an uncharacteristic 3.88 ERA in 25 starts. He threw just 65 pitches in his last start Wednesday against the Miami Marlins.

In his last 16 starts, in which the Pirates are 3-13, Skenes has a 5.00 ERA. While his FIP (fielding independent pitching) is a much better 3.29, it’s indisputable that Skenes hasn’t been the dominant force he was in his Rookie of the Year 2024 season or Cy Young-winning 2025.

Skenes was asked if he’s feeling fatigue or if he hasn’t recovered as well as he’d like to.

“Probably no more than either of the other seasons I’ve pitched in so far,” Skenes said. He added that everyone is “tired” and “grinding” in August.

He said he isn’t planning on changing his routine despite a week between starts. He has not decided whether he will throw a bullpen.

After the question on fatigue, Skenes was asked how this season compares to his last two mentally and physically. He took a few seconds to think about it.

“Different,” Skenes finally said. “Physically, I don't think it's been any more or less challenging than the last couple years. Mentally, the challenges have probably been just a little bit different.”

Now, the Pirates are trying something different, too.

Skenes in his own words

With Saturday’s game on Fox, the postgame was not broadcast on television. Below is a full transcript of reporters’ questions and Skenes’ answers late Saturday night:

— How much were you involved in the decision, or was that something that they decided they wanted to do? I don’t know if it was weather-related or they said they’d give you a couple of days.

"Yeah, I mean, it's probably all of that. We had talked about it when I showed up to the field today. When I came — I threw my bullpen and everything yesterday and was fully anticipating starting tomorrow, so. [We] talked about it when I showed up at the field. Ultimately, it was Donnie's decision, but we had talked about it. 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."

— Is it because of how you felt after the bullpen? Is fatigue a factor in this?

"Not based on the bullpen. I think if that were the case, it would have probably happened yesterday. But yeah, feel like I can throw tomorrow. But it's August and just getting a couple days for me and everybody else, too."

— What are you hoping a couple extra days of rest can do for you?

"There's kind of no way to know because I think this will probably be the first time I've ever pitched on an eight-day rotation. It certainly can't hurt in terms of recovery, and you add recovery in for anybody, and that's going to help, so. Kind of wish it weren't the case, that I [was] starting tomorrow because that's something I pride myself on, but in the long run it's definitely best to just get some recovery time."

— Do you see this as a chance to reset? Is it primarily rest or is it a chance to work on things that haven’t gone well lately?

"Nothing really changes. I think we just get a couple extra days."

— Do you get an extra bullpen session in between?

"Yeah, I'll probably touch the mound. I don't know if I would call it a full bullpen. That’s something I haven't thought about too much."

— Given how much you’ve pitched, have you noticed fatigue or not recovering as well as you’d like this season?

"Probably no more than either of the other seasons I've pitched in so far."

— Is [recovering] harder this time of year?

"For sure. I mean, everybody deals with stuff. I think going through a full major league season and not dealing with stuff — I don't know if there's ever been somebody who's done that. So everybody's tired. Everybody's grinding. We’ve just got to keep going."

— How does this compare to the last two years? Physically and mentally?

"Different. Physically, I don't think it's been any more or less challenging than the last couple years. Mentally, the challenges have probably been just a little bit different."