Pittsburgh Pirates / MLB category
Mark Madden: The Pirates will be better, but can they contend for a playoff berth?
The Pittsburgh Pirates are spending more. But are they spending enough? The Pirates will be better. But how much better? The Pirates went out and got three solid bats. But not Aaron, Clemente and Mays. A lot is being assumed by cockeyed optimists and media fanboys. But with Opening Day less...
On sports: Steelers eye North Dakota State QB; Andrew McCutchen lighting it up with RangersVideo
In Friday’s “On Sports,” the Steelers are bringing in an FCS standout quarterback for a visit fresh off of his pro day, while the Pirates, despite most recently losing to the Orioles, continue a strong spring training. Speaking of strong springs, Andrew McCutchen is tearing it up in a prove-it...
Beyond the Bylines: Pens push for the playoffs; Pirates win totals; missing Pitt in March MadnessVideo
“Beyond the Bylines” is back after a week off. Joe Starkey and Tim Benz dive into March Madness. They discuss the state of the Penguins’ playoff chase, their upcoming schedule, Evgeni Malkin’s history and contract status, and the goaltending. The guys also look at the Pirates’ projected win total, Konnor...
Early deficit too much for Pirates to overcome in spring training loss to Orioles
Samuel Basallo hit a pair of home runs as the Baltimore Orioles built a five-run lead the Pittsburgh Pirates couldn’t overcome. Basallo hit a solo shot off Cam Sanders in the first inning and a two-run homer off Mike Clevinger in the third to boost Baltimore to a 5-2 win...
NL Central preview: Loaded Cubs going for division title, but Brewers, Reds lurking
CHICAGO — Alex Bregman, welcome to the NL Central. Welcome back, Eugenio Suarez. Bregman is hoping to lead the Chicago Cubs to their first Central title since 2020 after signing a $175 million, five-year contract with the North Siders in free agency. But the competition is tough in a division...
Pirates option catcher Endy Rodriguez to Triple-A Indianapolis
Endy Rodriguez was in the Opening Day starting lineup for the Pittsburgh Pirates last year as a first baseman. This year, the 25-year-old catcher will start the season in the minors. The Pirates optioned Rodriguez to Triple-A Indianapolis on Thursday, reducing the roster in their big-league camp to 37 players...
Q&A: Greg Brown living out his dream as Pirates play-by-play announcer
Editor’s note: The following story was submitted for the Shaler Area Student Section, a collaboration between TribLive and The Oracle, the student newspaper of Shaler Area High School. With spring training in full swing, it’s a great time to think warmer weather and baseball. Pirates play-by-play announcer Greg Brown stopped...
Spring Breakout serves as opportunity for Pirates to showcase baseball’s top farm system
When the Pittsburgh Pirates were paired with the Detroit Tigers for the Spring Breakout, it was supposed to showcase baseball’s top two prospects in shortstops Konnor Griffin and Kevin McGonigle. That neither McGonigle nor Pirates right-hander Bubba Chandler (ranked No. 15) are on their team’s respective rosters for the MLB...
Braxton Ashcraft leaves Tigers looking with 8 strikeouts as Pirates end 3-game skid
Braxton Ashcraft didn’t just wow the Detroit Tigers. The Pittsburgh Pirates right-hander left them looking. Ashcraft drew 22 called strikes, including on four of his eight strikeouts without a walk in 5 1/3 innings, as the Pirates beat the Detroit Tigers, 3-1, on Wednesday night to end a three-game Grapefruit...
A fresh menu takes the field at PNC ParkVideo
New ballpark bites are on deck at PNC Park for the upcoming Pittsburgh Pirates season. The team unveiled the new lineup Wednesday, featuring creative spins on Steel City staples — from pierogies and kielbasa to chipped ham favorites. In total, nine new menu items will be available at select spots...
Alika Williams impressed by Konnor Griffin as the Pirates shortstops compete for roster spot
BRADENTON, Fla. — The Pittsburgh Pirates are down to two non-roster invitees among their position player group in big-league camp, and it just so happens they play the same position. Alika Williams is a locker mate of Konnor Griffin in the home clubhouse at LECOM Park, so he’s had an...
Oneil Cruz returns to Pirates with a hit, but Astros score 6 runs against Mitch Keller in win
Oneil Cruz returned to the Pittsburgh Pirates after taking a star turn for his native Dominican Republic in the World Baseball Classic and picked up right where he left off. Cruz went 1 for 3 in his first game back with the Pirates since Feb. 26, extending his streak of...
Pirates make more cuts, optioning LHP Evan Sisk to Indianapolis, reassigning 4 others
The Pittsburgh Pirates made another round of cuts Tuesday morning, with left-handed reliever Evan Sisk losing out on a spot in the bullpen. Sisk was optioned to Triple-A Indianapolis, and right-handers Beau Burrows, Michael Darrell-Hicks, Noah Davis and Noah Murdock and catcher Shawn Ross were reassigned to minor-league camp. There...
Mark Madden: Does international sports hype live up to the substance?
We’re locked in a feeding frenzy of international sports. The U.S. swept Canada in men’s, women’s and sled hockey. The World Baseball Classic provided Paul Skenes a chance to pitch for a team that could win. We’ve long since quit waving Old Glory in the name of decency and humanity,...
After strong spring for Pirates, Termarr Johnson sets sights on tapping into power
BRADENTON, Fla. — Where Konnor Griffin has drawn all the attention for the Pittsburgh Pirates, his double-play partner at Double-A Altoona quietly went about his business to have a strong spring training. Only four years ago, Termarr Johnson was the teenager who was the top-10 draft pick and being talked...
Noah Davis surrenders another 3-run home run as Twins power past Pirates
Noah Davis was stung by command issues against the Minnesota Twins, but it was another three-run home run that left a mark. Luke Keaschall broke open a tied game with a three-run shot in the third inning, and Victor Caratini added a solo shot as the Twins cruised to a...
Paul Skenes’ girlfriend Livvy Dunne to make acting debut in ‘Baywatch’ rebootVideo
Livvy Dunne, girlfriend of Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Paul Skenes, is heading to the beach to star in the Fox reboot of the TV series “Baywatch.” The 23-year-old former Louisiana State University gymnast, social media influencer and Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue cover model is taking on her first acting role with...
Pirates option IF Enmanuel Valdez, reassign OF Dominic Fletcher in latest round of cuts
The Pittsburgh Pirates made another round of cuts, and infielder Enmanuel Valdez was the latest casualty. Valdez was optioned to Triple-A Indianapolis on Monday morning, while outfielder Dominic Fletcher was reassigned to minor league camp. The 27-year-old Valdez played 31 games for the Pirates last season, batting .209/.294/.363 with four...
Kevin Gorman’s Take 5: WBC performance shows Paul Skenes is ready to lead the Pirates
The World Baseball Classic semifinal Sunday night was filled with superstars making spectacular plays, hitting majestic home runs and putting on a ridiculous display of pitching against two of the most dangerous batting orders in baseball history. That Pittsburgh played a central role made it all the more thrilling. A...
‘Wants the moment’: Paul Skenes shines in the WBC spotlight, treats it same as Pirates outings
MIAMI — Paul Skenes pitched with poise through pressure, dispatching a series of stars on a night of great stakes in a sold-out stadium with millions watching on TV. This was the type of game he never sees with the Pittsburgh Pirates and he may not experience on a regular...
Konnor Griffin homers in 9th to prevent shutout as Pirates stumble against Rays
Konnor Griffin hit his fourth home run of spring training in the ninth inning to spare the Pittsburgh Pirates a shutout loss. The Tampa Bay Rays got three-hit performances from Jake Fraley and Cedric Mullins, who homered and had four RBIs in a 6-1 win over the Pirates on Sunday...
Henry Davis ends drought with a bang, Marcell Ozuna hits 3-run shot as Pirates top Orioles
Henry Davis was searching for his first hit of spring training, a stretch that endured 17 at-bats but proved worth the wait. Davis ended his drought by hitting a leadoff home run, sparking a game that saw the Pittsburgh Pirates catcher go 1 for 2 with two RBIs, along with...
Pirates’ Paul Skenes to pitch in WBC semifinals after refocused U.S. beats Canada
HOUSTON — The United States is heading to the semifinals of the World Baseball Classic after a “different level of focus” helped this All-Star-studded team rebound from a shocking loss. The U.S. beat Canada, 5-3, on Friday night for a spot in the semifinals Sunday against the Dominican Republic. The...
Jhostynxon Garcia hits 2-run home run as newcomers push Pirates past Tigers
Whether they were swinging the bat or drawing walks, the new acquisitions played a big role for the Pittsburgh Pirates. Jhostynxon Garcia, Jake Mangum and Tyler Callihan combined for four hits, four runs and four RBIs as the Pirates earned a 7-5 win over the Detroit Tigers on Friday night...
Konnor Griffin, 19, is baseball’s No. 1 prospect. Is he ready to be Pirates’ starting shortstop?
BRADENTON, Fla. Nothing about Konnor Griffin is common. Griffin stands 6-foot-4, 225 pounds, with a statuesque build that could be chiseled from marble. He plays shortstop, baseball’s premier position, and his five-tool talent shined across three levels in his first professional season to earn minor- league player of the year honors....
