Pirates/MLB category, Page 236
Kevin Gorman: Derek Shelton’s intentions get Pirates’ attention for first full-squad workoutVideo
RADENTON, Fla. Derek Shelton understood the magnitude of the moment for his speech before the first full-squad workout of his first spring training as manager of the Pittsburgh Pirates. Now that he had their attention, he wanted their intentions. Shelton is sending a new, player-centric message to the team: He...
Pirates’ Adam Frazier wants to improve at plate after playing through pain in 2019Video
BRADENTON, Fla. – Adam Frazier revealed a secret that helps explain his inconsistency at the plate last season and gives an indication of his willingness to play through pain. The Pittsburgh Pirates second baseman broke his right index finger in spring training, then suffered a slight separation in his right...
In wake of cheating scandal, sportsbook takes bets on Astros getting hit by pitches
Major League Baseball commissioner Rob Manfred is trying to prevent teams from intentionally throwing at hitters, particularly the cheating-shamed Houston Astros. But who wants to bet those warnings will be heeded? At at least one website, you can. Sportsbettingdime.com is taking wagers on potential beanballs directed at Houston players. According...
Kevin Gorman: Making the majors a tall order for Pirates shortstop prospect Oneil CruzVideo
BRADENTON, Fla. – Things are looking up at shortstop for the Pittsburgh Pirates, as top prospect Oneil Cruz is officially listed at 6-foot-7 after being measured at his physical exam. Cruz is the tallest position player at the major-league camp in spring training at Pirate City, and hopes to become...
Pirates GM Ben Cherington: Money to build winner will be there when neededVideo
NORTH PORT, Fla. — Ben Cherington made a remark on the day he was hired as the Pittsburgh Pirates’ general manager that raised the eyebrows of many fans. Cherington said Nov. 18 he felt he would have the resources necessary to win in Pittsburgh. Nearly two months later, the Pirates...
Kevin Gorman: Jarrod Dyson is nothing if not completely candid when it comes to the Pirates
BRADENTON, Fla. — Jarrod Dyson was with the Pittsburgh Pirates for all of a day when he had the clubhouse cracking up, pulling a stack of scratch-off lottery tickets out of his leather backpack that fell to the floor like a Slinky. “I’m messing around, trying to hit the lotto...
Pirates’ Trevor Williams works on building strong foundation, adds new pitchVideo
BRADENTON, Fla. — Trevor Williams dropped weight and got a new delivery in the offseason, a development he deadpanned had nothing to do with baseball. Instead, it was pure exhaustion. “It’s stress that’s taking the pounds off,” Williams said with a laugh, as his family expanded from three...
Stars who helped spark Pirates’ resurgence reunite with Phillies
CLEARWATER, Fla. — A visit to the Philadelphia Phillies’ spring training clubhouse at Spectrum Field made it almost seem like the Pittsburgh Pirates should be preparing for a National League wild-card game. In one corner of the room was Andrew McCutchen’s locker. About 12 lockers down from McCutchen, Francisco Liriano...
Kevin Gorman: Oscar Marin on mission to help Pirates pitchers understand analyticsVideo
BRADENTON, Fla. Oscar Marin is a man on a mission, one that looked impossible last summer: rescue and revive the pitching staff of the Pittsburgh Pirates. As pitching coach, the 37-year-old Marin has brought old-school values and new-age ideas to the Pirates in ways Ray Searage either couldn’t or wouldn’t....
Now longest-tenured Pirate, Gregory Polanco healthy, ready to playVideo
BRADENTON, Fla. – When Gregory Polanco reported to spring training Saturday and declared he was happy and healthy, the Pittsburgh Pirates had to be as relieved as they are thrilled. After missing a quarter of last season following surgery on his left shoulder, Polanco pronounced himself “way better”...
Kevin Gorman: Pirates’ search for shortstop of future starts with Kevin Newman, Cole TuckerVideo
BRADENTON, Fla. Kevin Newman and Cole Tucker are former first-round picks who play the same position for the Pittsburgh Pirates. When it comes to their performance, the shortstops are more opposites than anything. Where Newman had a nondescript debut in the major leagues in August 2018, Tucker made an unforgettable...
Pirates newcomer Riddle ready, willing to fill variety of roles
BRADENTON, Fla. — JT Riddle is a newcomer to a team that almost certainly will have the lowest payroll in the major leagues on Opening Day. Yet playing for a thrifty organization such as the Pittsburgh Pirates is nothing new to the utility player. Money was a factor in the...
First Call: Jarrod Dyson’s hilarious, honest answer when asked about joining Pirates
For Friday’s “First Call,” I want to introduce you to my new favorite Pittsburgh Pirate. It’s recently signed center fielder Jarrod Dyson. He just inked a one-year contract for $2 million. I know. I know. I previously endorsed Kevin Pillar as my choice to replace Starling Marte. But forget him....
Kevin Gorman’s Take 5: Are you ready for some Pirates spring training football?
BRADENTON, Fla. – When Pittsburgh Pirates pitchers started to activate for workouts – a fancy way of saying to warm up – they found a football on the half-fields at Pirate City. Soon enough, Derek Holland had it in his hands. The left-hander got Kyle Crick, Keone Kela, Mitch Keller,...
Kevin Gorman: Adjusted arm angle has Pirates first baseman Josh Bell throwing like TekeVideo
BRADENTON, Fla. — When Josh Bell fielded the grounder at first base and spun for the throw to second, he did so in a way that should draw the instant attention of Pittsburgh Pirates fans. The short-arm throw that made you cringe every time he tried to turn two? Now,...
New Yankees pitcher Gerrit Cole keeping close tabs on Pirates
TAMPA, Fla. — Gerrit Cole no longer plays for the Pittsburgh Pirates, but he hasn’t forgotten his first professional organization. Cole keeps close tabs on the Pirates. The right-hander still talks to some of his former teammates, though he last played for Pittsburgh in 2017 before being traded to the...
Jarrod Dyson reports to Pirates ready to be Starling Marte’s replacement in center field
BRADENTON, Fla — It wasn’t lost on Jarrod Dyson that he is not only swapping teams with Starling Marte by signing with the Pittsburgh Pirates but also will take his position and his number. Dyson, who arrived at Pirate City on Thursday after signing a one-year contract, is expected to...
Kevin Gorman’s Take 5: Signing Jarrod Dyson will force Pirates to make an interesting moveVideo
BRADENTON, Fla. — The Pittsburgh Pirates declared one important move Wednesday when manager Derek Shelton named Keone Kela the closer but are waiting to make a formal announcement on another. Their search for a center fielder to replace Starling Marte brought about an agreement to sign Jarrod Dyson, whose one-year,...
Kevin Gorman: A special start for new Pirates manager Derek SheltonVideo
BRADENTON, Fla. This was the first workout for Pittsburgh Pirates pitchers and catchers, so full uniforms were required for the first time in spring training at Pirate City. That meant something special to Derek Shelton, as it marked the first time he wore a black Pirates jersey and gray uniform...
Pirates manager Derek Shelton wastes no time naming Keone Kela the closerVideo
BRADENTON, Fla. — On the first day of pitchers and catchers workouts at spring training, Pirates manager Derek Shelton wasted no time announcing an important decision. After saying last month Keone Kela would have a prominent back-end role out of the bullpen, Shelton on Wednesday declared Kela will be the...
Kevin Gorman’s Take 5: Pirates players weigh pros, cons of MLB plotting playoff expansion
The playoff picture is the furthest thing from the minds of the Pittsburgh Pirates, who started spring training without their best all-around player, ace pitcher and All-Star closer on a roster with a projected payroll around $50 million. That didn’t stop us from asking Pirates players about a New York...
Pirates director of sports medicine anticipating Gregory Polanco will report healthy to camp
BRADENTON, Fla. — The Pittsburgh Pirates are anticipating that right fielder Gregory Polanco will be healthy when he reports to Pirate City for spring training, director of sports medicine and performance Todd Tomczyk said Wednesday. Polanco played in only 42 games last season after having setbacks from surgery on his...
Pirates reportedly agree to deal with speedy center fielder Jarrod Dyson
BRADENTON, Fla. — The Pittsburgh Pirates are adding another center fielder to their roster, as they reportedly agreed to a one-year contract with 10-year veteran Jarrod Dyson on Wednesday. The deal is pending Dyson passing a physical exam. The Pirates have agreed to a Major League deal with outfielder Jarrod...
Pirates’ Jameson Taillon ‘definitely curious’ to follow Ben Roethlisberger’s recovery from elbow surgery
BRADENTON, Fla. – The two players with the most prominent right arms in Pittsburgh sports saw their 2019 seasons end with surgery on their throwing elbows in a five-week span. As he rehabilitates from Tommy John surgery in mid-August, Pirates pitcher Jameson Taillon said he intends to closely monitor the...
Kevin Gorman: Pirates pitchers hope Tommy John recovery becomes ‘instant classic’Video
BRADENTON, Fla. What began as a friendly, one-on-one basketball game between a pair of pitchers at Pirate City turned into a tug-of-war that left Jameson Taillon and Chad Kuhl physically spent — all because of three words. No, not Tommy John surgery. Win. By. Two. The winner would be whoever...
