Pittsburgh Pirates ace Paul Skenes, the reigning National League Cy Young Award winner, was pulled early in his 2026 MLB season opener against the New York Mets after allowing five runs in just two-thirds of an inning. Manager Don Kelly removed Skenes after 37 pitches, citing pitch-count concerns and defensive miscues.
The Pirates had taken an early 2-1 lead in the top of the first inning, but Skenes struggled with control and command. He walked two batters, hit one, and allowed four hits, including a sacrifice fly and a two-run double. Center fielder Oneil Cruz committed two errors, contributing to the Mets' five-run inning.
Kelly explained the decision to remove Skenes, stating, 'It’s pitch-count related really, for him. I don’t want to push him into the mid-40s.' Skenes, who entered the game with a dominant 1.97 ERA in 2025, left with a temporary ERA of 67.50. There were no reported injury concerns.
The Mets, meanwhile, capitalized on Skenes' struggles and defensive lapses. Bo Bichette, Jorge Polanco, and Luis Robert Jr. all contributed to the five-run first inning. The Mets' offense, bolstered by offseason acquisitions, overcame an early deficit to take a 5-2 lead.
Skenes' outing marked the shortest Opening Day start by a reigning Cy Young winner in MLB history. The Pirates' defense, particularly Cruz's misplays, played a significant role in the inning's collapse. Skenes' next start will be closely watched as he looks to bounce back from this rough debut.