Pirates/MLB category, Page 222
Pirates preview: Outside circumstances cover bullpen with questions
Neal Huntington knew the value of a strong bullpen in an era when starting pitchers are typically pulled after six innings. The former Pittsburgh Pirates general manager made what appeared to be good trades for closer Felipe Vazquez and setup man Keone Kela, hoping they could nail down tight games...
Pirates preview: Bullpen spotlight
Breakout candidate Nick Burdi After Tommy John surgery in 2017 and a horrific arm injury last season, Burdi has elevated his velocity into the high 90s. Derek Shelton called his stuff “electric,” which describes the type of pitches a closer needs to be successful. He never has closed in the...
U mad, bro? Readers rant about Antonio Brown, Penguins goalies, banned Blue Jays, Steelers O-line
“Return to play” must be a real emotional lightning bolt. Because we’ve got people fired up about all three of Pittsburgh’s pro sports teams. Readers are ready to pounce on Antonio Brown’s “retirement,” the state stopping the Toronto Blue Jays from playing at PNC Park, Matt Murray’s glove hand, and...
Pirates reliever Keone Kela has covid-19, manager Derek Shelton reveals
Pirates manager Derek Shelton revealed Wednesday night relief pitcher Keone Kela, who has missed all of spring training 2.0 this month, has tested positive for covid-19. Kela is the fifth Pirates player to test positive. Previously, relief pitcher Blake Cederlind, outfielders Gregory Polanco and Socrates Brito and third baseman Ke’Bryan...
Indians complete 3-game sweep of Pirates in 5-3 victory
The game was an exhibition, a mere warm-up for what really matters. In that light, Derek Holland wasn’t concerned he allowed three runs in three innings in the Pittsburgh Pirates’ 5-3 loss Wednesday night to the Cleveland Indians at PNC Park. The Pirates, who were 3-15 in spring training 1.0...
State health officials won’t allow Blue Jays to use PNC Park
Pennsylvania’s Department of Health will not permit the Toronto Blue Jays to play at PNC Park in the midst of the covid-19 pandemic, officials announced Wednesday afternoon. The Blue Jays were seeking a major-league venue to play their home games after the Canadian government declared the Rogers Centre in Toronto...
Addition of consistent changeup helps Mitch Keller earn spot in Pirates’ starting rotation
Mitch Keller came to training camp armed with a more consistent changeup, hoping to convince the Pittsburgh Pirates to show as much confidence in him as he did in the new and improved pitch. The 24-year-old right-hander, the team’s top prospect, earned the No. 3 spot in the starting rotation....
Hoping to elude the rain, Pirates/Indians exhibition game moved to 5:05 p.m.
Based on forecasts of rain Wednesday evening, the start time for the finale of the Pittsburgh Pirates’ three-game exhibition series against the Cleveland Indians at PNC Park has been moved to 5:05 p.m. GAME TIME CHANGE: Tonight's game vs the Indians has been moved up to 5:05pm due to the...
Reports: MLB has informed Toronto Blue Jays they will call PNC Park home this season
MLB has informed the Toronto Blue Jays that they will share PNC Park with the Pittsburgh Pirates as their home field this season, according to reports out of Canada. Sportsnet’s Hazel Mae first reported the news late Tuesday night, and the Toronto Sun confirmed that the majority of the Blue...
Pirates preview: Injuries mold starting rotation into different shape
This is the third of a four-part position-by-position preview of the Pirates heading into Friday’s season opener in St. Louis. Friday: Bullpen In a fantasy world, let’s imagine Jameson Taillon never needed a second Tommy John surgery, and Chris Archer remained healthy and his performance matched what the Pittsburgh Pirates...
Pirates’ Phillip Evans will play ‘anywhere in the dirt’Video
Raised as a shortstop, Phillip Evans is willing to play any infield position. “Anywhere in the dirt is fine with me,” he said. He’s also willing to spend as much time in the outfield as necessary — he did so in the minors and Monday night in Cleveland — and...
Pirates preview: Starting rotation spotlight
Breakout candidate Joe Musgrove He has yet to compile a winning record or an ERA under 4.06 in four seasons, but Musgrove looks poised to take his place atop the Pirates rotation. He’s no Gerrit Cole (compare paychecks), but perhaps that won’t turn out to be a bad deal the...
Proximity and schedule not the only reasons why Blue Jays may come to PNC Park
Wait. What’s the proposed trade? The Pittsburgh Penguins straight up for the Toronto Blue Jays? Sorry, Toronto. You are going to have to do better than that. Perhaps if you still had Kawhi Leonard on the Raptors, we could talk. But for now, don’t you think you should at least...
Derek Shelton taps Mitch Keller to start Pirates’ third game Sunday in St. Louis
Derek Shelton revealed the third piece of his starting rotation Tuesday when he named Mitch Keller to start Sunday against the St. Louis Cardinals at Busch Stadium. Previously, he said Joe Musgrove and Trevor Williams will pitch the first two games of the season-opening series Friday and Saturday. Keller threw...
Opening Day is close, but Major League Baseball’s return hasn’t been easyVideo
It seemed impossible with anxiety related to the coronavirus at its peak in early April, doubtful as MLB and its union argued over finances in May and perilous a few weeks back as new covid-19 hotspots emerged across the country. But now that MLB has made it to within 48...
Ben Cherington: ‘A lot of people … spending time on’ facilitating PNC Park hosting Blue JaysVideo
“A lot of people” from the Pittsburgh Pirates and Toronto Blue Jays organizations continue to discuss and work through the logistics of PNC Park hosting Blue Jays “home” games this season, Pirates general manager Ben Cherington said Tuesday, and a final decision for Blue Jays’ home base is expected within...
‘Burgh’s Best to Wear It, No. 41: Pirates’ Jerry Reuss a player of the decadesVideo
The Tribune-Review sports staff is conducting a daily countdown of the best players in Pittsburgh pro and college sports history to wear each jersey number. No. 41: Jerry Reuss When Jerry Reuss was added to the Pittsburgh Pirates roster for their stretch run in September 1990, he was just an...
Pirates preview: Thin ranks in outfield could become problem
This is the first of a four-part position-by-position preview of the Pirates heading into Friday’s season opener in St. Louis. Thursday: Starting pitchers When you look at the thin numbers in the Pittsburgh Pirates outfield, you think of former starters and .300 hitters Corey Dickerson and Starling Marte. And you...
Pirates preview: Outfield spotlight
Breakout candidate Cole Tucker He loves the game and is athletically gifted, so Tucker might be equipped to handle a reserve role in the outfield, a position he never has played as a pro. A first-round pick six years ago, it’s Tucker’s time — somewhere. Pressure’s on Gregory Polanco Regarded...
Kevin Gorman’s Take 5: Schedule allows for Pirates, Blue Jays to share PNC Park
Just when you thought MLB blurred the lines between the American League and National League this season, with interleague games and a universal designated hitter, PNC Park is ready to blow your mind. The Pittsburgh Pirates are willing to welcome with open arms their neighbors from the True North, the...
Cole Tucker’s spectacular sliding catch marks a memorable outfield debut for Pirates shortstop
Never mind that Cole Tucker had never played outfield before. He has a knack for making dramatic debuts with the Pittsburgh Pirates, whether it’s hitting a game-winning home run or making a sliding catch. This one didn’t get a curtain call, but Tucker tipped his cap anyway. The 6-foot-3 shortstop,...
Trevor Williams ready for regular season but Pirates’ bullpen blows up in loss to Indians
In his final outing of training camp, Trevor Williams looked like he was ready for the regular season. The Pittsburgh Pirates right-hander retired seven consecutive batters before leaving with two outs, a runner on third and a two-run lead. Then the bullpen blew up, as the Cleveland Indians punished the...
Pirates open to idea of PNC Park as possible home field for displaced Toronto Blue Jays
Rejected from playing at Rogers Centre by the Canadian government amid the coronavirus pandemic, the Toronto Blue Jays are looking into the possibility of playing home games at PNC Park this season. And the Pittsburgh Pirates are welcoming the idea with open arms. The Pirates’ home ballpark is one of...
Kevin Gorman’s Take 5: Many roster decisions might already be made for the Pirates
The Pittsburgh Pirates are down to the final days of training camp, with exhibition games Monday and Wednesday against the Cleveland Indians before making final decisions on the 30-man Opening Day roster. Most of the decisions were made for them. The Pirates started training camp at PNC Park with 39...
Pirates preview: Infield spotlight
Breakout candidate Jacob Stallings No one will mistake him for Jason Kendall, but Stallings hit a cumulative .290 in three Triple-A seasons and .262 for the Pirates last year. Not bad, but he’ll get more at-bats in 2020 and will need to improve on his total of 13 RBIs. Pressure’s...
