Pirates/MLB category, Page 234
Derek Holland, 4 others toss 2-hitter in Pirates loss
It’s only spring training, but the Pittsburgh Pirates keep finding new ways to lose. Derek Holland and four others combined for a two-hitter Thursday, but the Tampa Bay Rays beat the Pirates, 2-1, in Port Charlotte, Fla. A veteran lefty on a minor league contract and competing to be the...
Kevin Gorman: Pirates catcher Jacob Stallings showed leadership when no one was watchingVideo
As a former third-stringer who was designated for assignment last May, Jacob Stallings understands how unlikely it is that he’s slated to become the starting catcher for the Pittsburgh Pirates, let alone a leader. Stallings isn’t taking anything for granted, even though he was endorsed the starter in spring training...
Pirates allow 18 runs in 2 losses; Bell, 4 others homerVideo
Josh Bell, Cole Tucker, Bryan Reynolds and Adam Frazier homered, but Pittsburgh Pirates pitchers allowed 16 earned runs in 17 innings in losing two split-squad Grapefruit League games by 9-7 scores Wednesday. The Atlanta Braves scored the final seven runs to beat the Pirates at Bradenton’s LECOM Park in a...
OF prospect Jason Martin excited to get another chance with Pirates
BRADENTON, Fla. — It was a small sample size, to be sure. Outfielder Jason Martin made his MLB debut with the Pittsburgh Pirates last season. He logged 40 plate appearances over 20 games, but it was enough for Martin to learn life in the major leagues isn’t as overwhelming as...
Pirates sanitize LECOM Park as proactive measure vs. virus
BRADENTON, Fla. — The Pittsburgh Pirates have given their spring training home a deep clean as a proactive measure after a man in Manatee County tested positive for coronavirus. Pirates spokesman Brian Warecki said workers sanitized the clubhouse, press box, concession stands and other areas of LECOM Park in an...
Pirates reliever Geoff Hartlieb off on the right foot
BRADENTON, Fla. — Geoff Hartlieb spent the first 25 years of his life with an extra bone in his right foot and didn’t even know it. “It’s one of those crazy things,” the Pittsburgh Pirates relief pitcher said. Hartlieb began feeling pain in his foot midway through his rookie season...
U.S. pro sports leagues, NCAA begin to prep contingencies in wake of coronavirus
Even if COVID-19 has not yet spread throughout the U.S., concern about what is better known as coronavirus has. And it is beginning to have an effect on the sports world. The NFL, NBA, NHL and Major League Baseball to varying degrees all have announced they are monitoring the threatened...
Pirates catcher Susac hoping to finally live up to once-lofty projections
BRADENTON, Fla. — It wasn’t a big deal when the Pittsburgh Pirates signed Andrew Susac to a minor league contract Jan 31. In fact, it barely rated more than a mention. Yet, there was a time when Susac was a pretty big deal. That makes his presence in an organization...
After rehabbing with Pirates the past 13 months, pitcher Tom Koehler retires
Veteran pitcher Tom Koehler announced his retirement Monday, 2 ½ years after throwing his final regular-season pitch and 13 months after joining the Pittsburgh Pirates organization. The 33-year-old right-hander pitched for six seasons for the Miami Marlins and Toronto Blue Jays before shoulder injuries struck during 2018 spring training while...
Mitch Keller’s spring ERA up to 7.50, Pirates shut out by Blue Jays
For the second consecutive outing, prized young pitcher Mitch Keller allowed a multiple-run inning during a Grapefruit League outing. Monday, Keller allowed two extra-base hits, including a Danny Jansen home run, during the Pittsburgh Pirates’ 4-0 loss to the Toronto Blue Jays in Dunedin, Fla. The 23-year-old expected to settle...
Pirates address spring training health concerns after 2 coronavirus cases found in Florida
The Pittsburgh Pirates on Monday advised fans, players and staff at spring training “to listen to and rely upon the advice and guidance of the public health experts” after two adults tested positive for coronavirus in Hillsborough and Manatee counties. The Pirates’ spring training stadium, LECOM Park, and minor-league complex...
Pirates’ Steven Brault shut down from throwing because of shoulder strain
Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Steven Brault has been “shut down” for at least two weeks because of a left shoulder muscle strain, the team announced Monday. A left-hander who made 19 starts last season and was arguably the best member of the Pirates’ rotation from June through August, Brault has allowed...
Gregory Polanco homers, Pirates win 2nd consecutive Grapefruit League game
Gregory Polanco homered and reached base three times, and the Pittsburgh Pirates won for the second consecutive day in Grapefruit League play, 13-9 against the Toronto Blue Jays on Sunday at LECOM Park. Limited to 64 games of any type — majors or minor league rehab, regular season or spring...
Kevin Gorman: Development of No. 1 pick Quinn Priester paramount for PiratesVideo
With broad shoulders and a lean, muscular physique, Quinn Priester looked the part while mingling with the major league pitchers in the Pirate City clubhouse. Only nine months ago, Priester was getting ready to graduate from Cary-Grove High School in suburban Chicago. Now, the Pittsburgh Pirates first-round draft pick is...
Pirates finally get first spring training winVideo
It took nine games, but the Pittsburgh Pirates finally got new manager Derek Shelton his first victory of spring training. That it came against the Minnesota Twins only made it sweeter for Shelton, who spent the previous two seasons as their bench coach. Jose Osuna’s RBI double in the sixth...
Kevin Gorman: Tarrick Brock pushing Pirates to be aggressive, smart on bases, in outfield
Tarrick Brock doesn’t flinch when informed the definition of his job description — outfield and baserunning coordinator — involves two of the Pittsburgh Pirates’ biggest problems. At times, the Pirates have looked like the “Bad News Bears” on the basepaths and the Keystone Cops in the outfield. It’s not just...
Pirates hard-throwing prospect Cody Ponce eyes role
BRADENTON, Fla. — It seems Cody Ponce is a bit of a soothsayer. Before leaving for spring training last year with the Milwaukee Brewers, the right-handed pitching prospect made a prediction to his father. Ponce said he would be traded before the 2019 season ended. Ponce was right. The Pirates...
Pirates lose big to Orioles, remain winless in spring training
Another February day, another loss in Grapefruit League play for the Pittsburgh Pirates. Starter Trevor Williams allowed four runs and six baserunners while retiring only three in an 11-4 loss to the Baltimore Orioles on Friday at LECOM Park. The Pirates fell to 0-7 this spring, losing on consecutive days...
Keone Kela hit hard as Pirates lose to Orioles, remain winless in spring trainingVideo
The Baltimore Orioles clubbed 19 hits for a 13-0 win Thursday in Sarasota, Fla., that kept the Pittsburgh Pirates winless during spring training. Among the eight pitchers for the Pirates (0-6) who were hit the hardest was closer Keone Kela. He allowed three extra-base hits, including a Pat Valaika two-run...
Kevin Gorman: Steven Brault wants to make music on the mound as a starter for the PiratesVideo
Steven Brault made a major jump for the Pittsburgh Pirates last season, when he began working out of the bullpen and finished as one of their most consistent starters. Well, with the exception of one game. The left-hander went 4-6 with a 5.16 ERA and 1.50 WHIP in 113 1/3...
Red Sox hit 3 homers against Pirates, win in rain-shortened gameVideo
The Boston Red Sox got a three-run seventh inning off Sam Howard for a 6-3 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates on Wednesday in a rain-shortened game at LECOM Park. The game was called after 7 1/2 innings. Jett Bandy broke a tie game with a sacrifice fly to center for...
Kevin Gorman: Pirates need Gregory Polanco to be even better than before injuryVideo
Gregory Polanco was feeling the good energy at spring training and kept repeating the same words over and over: Happy. Healthy. Strong. Tough. The Pittsburgh Pirates right fielder is happy to be healthy and stronger after a tough season, one where his surgically repaired left shoulder didn’t respond the way...
Joe Musgrove throws 2 scoreless innings, but Phillies rally in 7th to top Pirates
Joe Musgrove made his spring-training debut for the Pittsburgh Pirates an efficient one, as the right-hander threw two scoreless innings in a 6-2 loss to the Philadelphia Phillies on Tuesday at LECOM Park. Musgrove hit leadoff batter Roman Quinn with a pitch, but catcher Luke Maile threw out Quinn on...
Kevin Gorman: Future can’t get here fast enough for Pirates prospect Ke’Bryan Hayes
BRADENTON, Fla. Ke’Bryan Hayes is in his second spring training with the Pittsburgh Pirates and, once again, looking like their third baseman of the future. Maybe even the very near future. The Pirates’ top position prospect has been dreaming about making his major league debut, especially since being snubbed for...
Gerrit Cole makes Yankees spring debut against Pirates
Gerrit Cole got off to a fast start in his spring training debut for the New York Yankees, throwing a 97 mph heater on his first pitch and striking out two in a hitless inning against Pittsburgh on Monday night. The teams played to a 3-3 tie. “It went well,”...
