Kevin Gorman stories, Page 15
Andrew Heaney’s 10 strikeouts, Tommy Pham’s walk-off single in 11th lift Pirates past Yankees
The Pittsburgh Pirates found the perfect antidote for the hot-hitting New York Yankees in soft-tossing left-hander Andrew Heaney, who lulled their torpedo bats to sleep with a fastball that sat a tick below 90 mph and a mix of offspeed and breaking pitches. Heaney recorded 10 strikeouts in seven innings...
Pirates president vows to put Roberto Clemente’s name back on wall
The Pittsburgh Pirates responded to their latest controversy by reversing their decision to remove a logo with Hall of Famer Roberto Clemente’s name and No. 21 below the right-field foul pole. Pirates president Travis Williams took responsibility for replacing the logo with a Surfside ad without first informing the Clemente...
Pirates GM Ben Cherington calls demoting David Bednar a ‘difficult’ decision, conversation
Informing two-time All-Star closer David Bednar he was being optioned to Triple-A Indianapolis was what Pittsburgh Pirates general manager Ben Cherington called “a very difficult decision, a very difficult conversation and not one he liked in the moment.” Cherington addressed the move to demote Bednar, a Mars alum who is...
Pirates place righty reliever Colin Holderman on 15-day IL, recall Chase Shugart from Indy
The Pittsburgh Pirates made a bullpen move before Sunday’s game against the New York Yankees that will affect high-leverage situations, as they now need both a closer and a setup man. They placed right-handed reliever Colin Holderman on the 15-day injured list with a right knee sprain and recalled righty...
Pirates respond to social media reaction, defend replacing Clemente Wall logo with ad
Pittsburgh Pirates fans have been voicing their complaints with the club, with the latest controversy coming because of the reaction by the son of the most beloved player in franchise history. Roberto Clemente Jr. wrote a one-word response to a social media post noting that the Clemente 21 logo on...
‘We’ve got to play better’: Paul Skenes shifts blame for Pirates’ play from Nutting, Shelton
It should come as no surprise that the introductions that drew the loudest ovations from Pittsburgh Pirates fans at the home opener were reserved for generational talents Paul Skenes and Andrew McCutchen. Where McCutchen helped the Pirates end a two-decade losing streak, Skenes seeks to serve as the catalyst in...
Bucs Q&A with Bryan Reynolds
Bryan Reynolds, RF/DH What do you think of the torpedo bat craze? I’ve got some coming to try it. Obviously, I’m curious. If you can change the bat substantially, why can’t pitchers use Spider-Tack? I’m interested because it could help but, shoot, Spider-Tack helps, too. Everybody’s hitting homers with it,...
Pirates prospect watch: Bubba Chandler allows 1 hit in season debut
Prospect Watch Bubba Chandler, 6-3, 218, RHP The 22-year-old Chandler, a 2021 third-round pick who bypassed a chance to play quarterback at Clemson to sign for a $3 million bonus, is the Pirates’ top prospect and is ranked in the top 100 by both Baseball America (No. 6) and MLB...
‘We need to win more’: Amid protests, Pirates chairman Bob Nutting remains focused on goal
For Bob Nutting, the home opener at PNC Park is a day he describes as “incredibly special” for the Pittsburgh Pirates. It’s one where the Pirates chairman celebrates the return of baseball to the city, personally greeting players and coaches on the field before the game. As Nutting walked off...
Pirates add OF Alexander Canario, option IF/OF Ji Hwan Bae, trade C Jason Delay to Braves
The Pittsburgh Pirates made multiple roster moves ahead of their home opener against the New York Yankees, adding outfielder Alexander Canario to their 26-man active roster Thursday. To make room for Canario, who was acquired Monday from the New York Mets, the Pirates optioned infielder/outfielder Ji Hwan Bae to Triple-A...
Kevin Gorman’s Take 5: Can Pirates torpedo Yankees’ record-setting blasts with new bats?
Torpedo bats are the talk of baseball, thanks to the number of New York Yankees using them while smashing records in the opening weekend. The Yankees hit nine home runs against the Milwaukee Brewers in the second game of the season, 18 through the first four games and became the...
Paul Skenes serves as stopper as Pirates snap 4-game losing streak with win over Rays
Looking to snap a four-game losing streak, the Pittsburgh Pirates needed Paul Skenes to stand tall and serve as the stopper. The 6-foot-6 right-hander didn’t shrink. Skenes delivered a quality start that was more efficient than dominant, recording six strikeouts without a walk in seven innings and rallying from 3-0...
New Curve manager accepts challenge of developing prospects making position changes
ALTOONA — As a second-round pick who bounced between the major leagues and the minors, Andy Fox is quick to offer that his heart is in player development because he’s a product of the process. The Altoona Curve plan to tap into their first-year manager’s passion this season by having...
Curve players celebrate Thomas Harrington’s promotion to Pirates, anticipate MLB debut
ALTOONA — Just hours before the Altoona Curve hosted its media day, word circulated with the kind of news that every baseball player dreams about while toiling at the Double-A affiliate. Thomas Harrington earned a promotion to the Pittsburgh Pirates and would make his major league debut against the Tampa...
Pirates No. 3 prospect Thomas Harrington to make MLB debut by starting against Rays
The Pittsburgh Pirates are promoting one of their top pitching prospects, as right-hander Thomas Harrington will make his major league debut by starting Tuesday against the Tampa Bay Rays, sources confirmed to TribLive. The 23-year-old Harrington, a 2022 first-round pick (No. 36 overall) out of Campbell University, is ranked the...
Mental mistakes in center by Oneil Cruz prove costly for Pirates in Opening Day loss to Marlins
Oneil Cruz has a history of heroics on Opening Day for the Pittsburgh Pirates, serving as the difference-maker in one-run wins at the Cincinnati Reds in 2023 and at the Miami Marlins last year. But Cruz was at the central figure in a game defined by critical defensive lapses as...
Defensive lapses cost Pirates, who blow Paul Skenes’ strong start as Marlins rally to win opener
Paul Skenes made history by becoming the fastest No. 1 overall draft pick to make an Opening Day start. Then the 22-year-old right-hander made a case for why he’s the NL Cy Young favorite. Then the Pittsburgh Pirates blew it. The 2023 No. 1 overall pick of the MLB Draft,...
Pirates place RHP Jared Jones on IL, add LHP Ryan Borucki to finalize Opening Day roster
The Pittsburgh Pirates made multiple roster moves to finalize their 26-man Opening Day roster, most notably by placing a pair of prominent players on the injured list. The Pirates placed right-handed pitcher Jared Jones on the 15-day injured list with a ulnar collateral ligament sprain in his right elbow and...
Kevin Gorman’s Take 5: LHP Joey Wentz wins final spot as Pirates finalize Opening Day roster
Joey Wentz took shots to his left wrist and his right shin on a couple of comebackers in the span of three pitches in his final outing for the Detroit Tigers but didn’t experience any real pain until the next day. That’s when Detroit designated the left-handed reliever for assignment,...
‘It’s time to win’: Manager Derek Shelton sets expectation for Pirates to make a playoff push
From the start of spring training, Derek Shelton set an expectation for the Pittsburgh Pirates this season. It was a simple and straightforward message to deliver, one that’s harder to accomplish. “It’s time to win,” Shelton told TribLive. “That’s the only focus.” The Pirates followed back-to-back 100-loss seasons in 2021-22...
Whether it’s turnover or rearranging chairs, Pirates will have new-look Opening Day lineup
What’s more surprising, that the Pittsburgh Pirates return only a dozen or so players from last year’s Opening Day 26-man roster or the possibility they could have new starters at almost every position? As the Pirates prepare for their season opener Thursday at the Miami Marlins, the only players from...
Previewing the Pirates: Carmen Mlodzinski moving to starting role creates bullpen opening
Carmen Mlodzinski wanted to be a starting pitcher in the major leagues, so the Pittsburgh Pirates right-hander bet big on himself. And it paid off when he earned a spot in the starting rotation. Drafted No. 31 overall in 2020, Mlodzinski converted to a relief role in 2023. He fared...
Twins hammer Thomas Harrington in 2nd, hand Pirates 5th consecutive loss in spring finale
The Pittsburgh Pirates gave Thomas Harrington the final start of spring training, even though they had decided that the 23-year-old right-hander wasn’t going to make their Opening Day roster. Harrington made quick work of the Minnesota Twins in an 11-pitch first inning, sandwiching strikeouts of Matt Wallner and Byron Buxton...
Previewing the Pirates: Endy Rodriguez wins 1 position player battle, helps solve another
The Pittsburgh Pirates opened spring training with a glaring hole at first base and a handful of candidates looking to take advantage of the opportunity to make the Opening Day roster. With Spencer Horwitz sidelined after surgery on his right wrist, everyone from veterans Darick Hall and DJ Stewart to...
Joey Wentz strikes out side as Pirates bullpen perfect, bats quiet in loss to Blue Jays
The Pittsburgh Pirates got seven strikeouts in three perfect innings from their bullpen but little production at the plate in dropping the penultimate game of their spring training schedule. The Toronto Blue Jays scored two runs off Pirates left-hander Bailey Falter in a four-hit third inning and held on for...
