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Ex-MLB pitcher could help

Pirates fans may remember the name John Holdzkom from three years ago, the hard-throwing right-hander signed out of independent ball to help the Curve, only to find himself in the majors two months later.

Holdzkom threw 100 mph, and when he showed the Bucs success with that kind of arm, they gave him a shot.

There’s no telling if it will happen again, but the Pirates signed a pitcher out of indy ball last week who could turn out to be another Holdzkom kind of story.

Johnny Hellweg made it up to the Milwaukee Brewers for eight games in 2013, then suffered a series of injuries that kept him away from the game for more than a year. He wound up closing this season for the New Jersey Jackals in the independent Can-Am League, and the Pirates decided to give him a shot.

“Being in indy ball for the last four months, getting back in affiliated and sent to Double-A and get an opportunity, it’s really exciting,” Hellweg said. “I’m very grateful.”

The 6-foot-8, 28-year-old said he was clocked as high as 101 mph in indy ball this year. In his Curve debut Friday night, he touched 97 mph in one scoreless inning.

Curve manager Michael Ryan even said the Hellweg story is “very similar, that’s what I was thinking” to the Holdzkom situation in 2014.

“Hard two-seamer, pretty good slider, so it’s a good sign,” Ryan said. “Presence was really good out there. He looks like he’s been around for a long time.”

He certainly has. Hellweg began his career in 2008 and has enjoyed success in the minors. He didn’t have much success with the Brewers in 2013, going 1-4 with a 6.75 ERA in eight games (seven starts).

He underwent Tommy John surgery in 2014, and also endured shin and oblique injuries.

“I was hurt for about two straight years, didn’t ever get it going,” he said.

Missing so much time gave him a new perspective on the game.

“Oh, for sure,” Hellweg said. “Having to sit in an apartment in Arizona by myself for 14 months, not knowing anybody from the state, going to rehab every day with 18-year-old kids playing in rookie ball, it’s not fun. But you kind of see the light at the end of the tunnel and you can shoot for a goal. But once you’re out of baseball for that long, you appreciate when you get to play and actually compete again.”

Hellweg had to go the indy ball rout this season, and in 36 relief appearances, he was 2-3 with a 3.79 ERA and 19 saves for New Jersey. Why did it take so long for an affiliated team to give him a shot?

“There’s been guys out there to see me,” he said. “I’ve performed well when some were there, I’ve had iffy outings when some were there. I think everything happens for a reason, so I think this is just the right fit for me at the right time.”

Hellweg said they Pirates said they would “give me some innings, see what I had to offer and see how they can develop me and hopefully contribute at the higher levels later on.”

He’s joining a Curve team in a tight pennant race, so it’s unclear what his role will be. But given his experience and lively fastball, Hellweg could turn out to be a nice and non-traditional addition to the team late in the season.

“I’m ready for anything they throw at me, so I’m excited to get out and help,” he said.

Ryan was asked if he will have any issues using Hellweg in high-leverage situations in tough games down the stretch.

“I’m going to have to see it more, to be honest with you,” the manager said. “If it’s like what it was (Friday night), it was really good. There’s guys that have been here all year that have earned those opportunities, guys that I’m comfortable. If need be, he’ll be in those situations.”

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