Kevin Gorman stories, Page 4
For Bethel Park’s Justin Meis, pitching for Colombia against Pirates ‘definitely different’
BRADENTON, Fla. — Justin Meis was so flustered after he finished the fourth inning that he went to the wrong dugout. Meis could only laugh, knowing it was an understandable mistake. The 26-year-old right-hander, who spent last season with Double-A Altoona, pitched for Team Colombia in a 7-1 loss to...
Spring shift: Ryan O’Hearn ‘getting ready to be a solid right fielder’ for Pirates
BRADENTON, Fla. — The possibility of playing right field was discussed briefly between Ryan O’Hearn and the Pittsburgh Pirates during free agency, but the plan was for him to split time primarily at first base and designated hitter. When the Pirates signed three-time All-Star designated hitter Marcell Ozuna, they called...
Alika Williams starts scoring as Pirates top Rays, hopes to add value with defensive depth
BRADENTON, Fla. — Alika Williams knew that Jake Mangum had the green light to steal second base, so he took a few steps from third base and got ready to read the throw. When pitcher Mason Englert’s throw to second went wide of Tampa Bay Rays shortstop Jose Barrios, Williams...
Finally healthy, righty Mike Clevinger chasing rotation spot or bulk relief role with Pirates
BRADENTON, Fla. — Mike Clevinger has a season on his resume that no other Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher can claim. But he knows it doesn’t carry much weight in his quest to earn a roster spot this spring. Clevinger had 207 strikeouts in 200 innings over 32 starts for Cleveland...
Konnor Griffin hits 2-run blast for 3rd home run of spring as Pirates cruise past Cardinals
Konnor Griffin’s third hit in spring training produced the same result as his first two, with the 19-year-old phenom circling the bases. The consensus top prospect in baseball hit a two-run homer off Kyle Leahy in the first inning, as the Pittsburgh Pirates cruised to a 6-1 win over the...
Spencer Horwitz taking open-minded approach about finding position to play for Pirates
BRADENTON, Fla. — Where Spencer Horwitz is still trying to figure out where he fits in with the Pittsburgh Pirates, he’s looking forward to playing a prominent role for Team Israel in the World Baseball Classic. Not that there is any more certainty over which position he’ll play. Horwitz, who...
Oneil Cruz extends hitting streak to 5 games, leads Pirates past Astros with 3-run home run
Oneil Cruz continued his hot streak at the plate in Grapefruit League play, hitting his first home run of spring training. Cruz extended his hitting streak to five games by blasting a three-run homer to lift the Pittsburgh Pirates to a 5-2 win over the Houston Astros at CACTI Park...
Outfielder Jake Mangum proving to Pirates he’s willing to do whatever it takes to win
BRADENTON, Fla. — Jake Mangum had a pair of strikeouts in a game that was scoreless, so he saw an opportunity when the Baltimore Orioles left third base open and decided to run with it. With two outs in the bottom of the fifth inning Friday, Mangum dropped a bunt...
Kyle Nicolas finishes off Orioles with scoreless 9th inning before joining Team Italy for WBC
BRADENTON, Fla. — Kyle Nicolas scratched the top of his right thumb in the bullpen before his outing against the Baltimore Orioles and ended up getting blood all over his white uniform pants. In his final appearance before joining Team Italy for the World Baseball Classic, Nicolas overcame the mishap...
With a superstar as his shadow, Nick Gonzales embracing challenge at shortstop for Pirates
BRADENTON, Fla. — The phone call from Ben Cherington was meant to reassure Nick Gonzales of his importance to the Pittsburgh Pirates, even after the acquisition of two-time All-Star second baseman Brandon Lowe. To Gonzales, it was unnecessary. The 2020 No. 7 overall selection — Cherington’s first draft pick as...
Jose Urquidy focuses on fastball velocity in spring training debut as Pirates top Twins
BRADENTON, Fla. — When Jose Urquidy made his spring training debut for the Pittsburgh Pirates, his primary concern was attacking what he views as a shrinking strike zone. The 30-year-old right-hander missed all of 2024 and much of last season while recovering from his second Tommy John surgery, so he’s...
‘I wish we could have done better’: Now with Twins, Derek Shelton reflects on Pirates tenureVideo
BRADENTON, Fla. — Derek Shelton returned to LECOM Park as a manager, this time in the visiting dugout. The former Pittsburgh Pirates skipper was wearing new colors that were old colors to him. The former Minnesota Twins bench coach is now their manager, only months after being fired by the...
Pirates announce coaching staff assignments for minor league affiliates
BRADENTON, Fla. — The Pittsburgh Pirates announced the staff assignments for their minor league affiliates, including multiple managerial changes. At Triple-A Indianapolis, Eric Patterson has been promoted from bench coach to manager. He replaces Chris Truby, who was elevated to infield coach on the major league staff. The Indians also...
Pirates’ Paul Skenes slogs through 1st spring start, ready to ‘go win gold’ for Team USA
NORTH PORT, Fla. — Paul Skenes found his first start of spring training — and only one for the Pittsburgh Pirates before joining Team USA in the World Baseball Classic — to be rather challenging. The National League Cy Young Award winner allowed one earned run on one hit and...
To crack rotation, Pirates righty Carmen Mlodzinski concentrates on starting strong
BRADENTON, Fla. — As one of the more cerebral pitchers on the Pittsburgh Pirates, Carmen Mlodzinski is aware of the irony involved in his desire to be a starting pitcher versus his success as a reliever. The 27-year-old right-hander has the seven-pitch arsenal of a starter — with more offerings...
Monster Mash: Konnor Griffin breaks out with 2 home runs as Pirates roll over Red Sox
FORT MYERS, Fla. — Konnor Griffin was still searching for his first hit of spring training when he faced left-hander Ranger Suarez, a 2024 All-Star and the marquee free-agent addition of the Boston Red Sox. When Suarez hung a curveball over the middle of the plate, Griffin showed why he’s...
Dennis Santana, Gregory Soto hope to provide Pirates right-left punch in high-leverage relief
BRADENTON, Fla. – When the Pittsburgh Pirates signed Gregory Soto, one of the players who welcomed him was the very man who had the most to lose by the arrival of the two-time All-Star left-handed reliever. Dennis Santana remembers Aroldis Chapman doing the same for him in June 2024, when...
Pirates’ Bubba Chandler comes out firing, but fastball command leads to 4 walks in loss to Yankees
BRADENTON, Fla. — Bubba Chandler was feeling his four-seam fastball, so he turned to steal a glance at the scoreboard behind him after his third pitch of his first start of spring training. The radar gun clocked it at 100.6 mph. Short on sleep and over-caffeinated on coffee, the 23-year-old...
Pirates infielder Jack Brannigan breaks nose on bad hop, 2 relievers shut down by arm injuries
BRADENTON, Fla. — Pittsburgh Pirates infielder Jack Brannigan sustained multiple injuries to the nasal complex when a bad hop hit him in the face in Sunday’s split-squad game at the Philadelphia Phillies. Pirates senior director of sports medicine Todd Tomczyk said Brannigan was re-examined Monday morning by team physicians and...
Brandon Lowe proving to Pirates that he’s small in stature, big on providing power
BRADENTON, Fla. — Brandon Lowe smiled as soon as it was noted his statistics belie his stature, knowing he appears smaller in person than his generous listing of 5-foot-10, 181 pounds. The left handed-hitting Lowe knows the 39-home run, 99-RBI season on his resume is the type of power production...
Mitch Keller unveils ‘absurd’ new-look changeup as Pirates top Rays in home opener
BRADENTON, Fla. — Mitch Keller has a reputation for his ever-expanding repertoire, but the Pittsburgh Pirates right-hander’s newest pitch is simply an old offering with a twist. Keller unveiled a changeup with a new grip in his first Grapefruit League start, tossing two scoreless innings in a 7-4 win over...
After rising to top 10 Pirates prospect, right-hander Wilber Dotel shows stronger command
SARASOTA — When Wilber Dotel got word that he would be the Pittsburgh Pirates’ starting pitcher for the Grapefruit League opener, his mind drifted to his days of watching spring training games as a fan. Now, the 23-year-old right-hander is a prospect on the doorstep of the major leagues. After...
Ryan O’Hearn homers in debut as Pirates pound Baltimore in Grapefruit League opener
SARASOTA — Ryan O’Hearn wasn’t sure what to do when he received a rousing ovation before his first at-bat at Ed Smith Stadium wearing a Pittsburgh Pirates uniform. It was the spring training opener, so O’Hearn didn’t want to tip his batting helmet. But he appreciated the support from Baltimore...
Confidence key as Bubba Chandler tries to win spot in Pirates starting rotation
BRADENTON, Fla. — Bubba Chandler cruised through his first three major-league games, earning a four-inning save in his debut and wins in his next two appearances before the Milwaukee Brewers dealt the Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher his first blowout. The Brewers scored nine runs on nine hits and three walks in...
Preparing for World Baseball Classic, Pirates ace Paul Skenes shines in simulated gameVideo
BRADENTON, Fla. — It was a simulated game but one that Paul Skenes treated like a warm-up for the World Baseball Classic, considering the lineup of hitters he was facing. The Pittsburgh Pirates ace tossed three impressive innings against Oneil Cruz, Bryan Reynolds, Marcell Ozuna and Nick Gonzales before a...
