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.

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.

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.