PITTSBURGH — Frustration may be mounting early in the season for the Pittsburgh Pirates, and manager Derek Shelton’s recent ejection—the second in just seven games—suggests the pressure is already showing on the field and in the dugout.

Shelton was tossed from the game during the late innings of Tuesday night’s contest after a heated exchange with the home plate umpire over what he perceived as inconsistent strike zone calls. The moment, while brief, was charged with emotion, and reflects the competitive fire Shelton brings to a team looking to make strides this season.

“It’s not something I look to do,” Shelton said during a post-game interview. “But when I feel like our guys aren’t getting a fair shake, I’m going to stand up for them. That’s my job.”

This marks Shelton’s second ejection in just over a week of regular season play—an unusually high rate for any manager, especially this early in the year. While ejections are nothing new in baseball, multiple removals in such a short span suggest deeper tensions that may be simmering under the surface, whether with officiating standards or the Pirates’ own internal expectations.

“I’m passionate about what we’re building here,” Shelton added. “These guys are grinding, and I’ll go to bat for them every time.”

The Pirates are navigating a tough early schedule, and with a young roster trying to establish consistency, the leadership of their manager—ejected or not—remains critical. Shelton’s fiery presence may serve as both a rallying cry and a reflection of the stakes the team feels heading into a pivotal season.

As the Pirates look to gain momentum, fans and players alike will be watching to see whether Shelton’s emotional investment pays dividends in the win column—or leads to more tense nights at the ballpark.