The Pirates announced Thursday that Derek Shelton has been relieved of his duties as manager, a shake-up that had become expected in recent weeks as the team fell further back in the National League Central.

The Pirates hired Shelton as their manager before the 2020 season and gave him a contract extension in 2023. They never finished with a record above .500 or better than fourth place in the NL Central under his direction. He ends his tenure with a 306-440 record in five-plus seasons in Pittsburgh.

Pittsburgh Pirates ace Paul Skenes is known to be a man of few words. He didn't mince any on Friday discussing his former manager's firing.