Schugel quietly proving value in bullpen

With the bases loaded, A.J. Schugel gets Jose Peraza to ground out, stranding all three to mitigate damage in the top of the 4th inningPITTSBURGH -- Quietly, the Bucs may have found another answer for their 2018 bullpen in A.J. Schugel. The 28-year-old right-hander may fit as a jam-defusing fireman and bridge from the starting pitcher to the late-inning relievers, a role he's filled in the second half of the season.

"That's proven to be one of his strengths," manager Clint Hurdle said. "He has been the first and foremost guy we've gone to and gotten up when we've had a lead to be the guy who can come in and face right-handed and left-handed hitters. … He's learned how to pitch. He stays…