Pirates/MLB category, Page 250
With September’s expanded rosters coming, Pirates prep for call-ups
In part because of injuries and partly because of poor performances commensurate with a last-place team, the Pittsburgh Pirates have used 48 players this season. So when rosters expand Sept. 1, there might not be many unfamiliar faces in their clubhouse. “You have probably seen most of them,” manager Clint...
Pirates’ Richard Rodriguez returns from injured list, Kyle Crick begins suspension
The Pittsburgh Pirates keep cycling through their suspensions relating to the brawl with the Cincinnati Reds late last month. With infielder/outfielder Jose Osuna eligible to return to the active roster in time for Tuesday’s home game against the Washington Nationals, reliever Kyle Crick will begin to serve his three-game suspension....
First Call: Rod Woodson is critical of Roethlisberger and Tomlin; Bill Madlock back in MLB?
In “First Call” Tuesday, Rod Woodson is critical of one of his former teams. But is it the right one? Some in the national media are ramping up the criticism of Antonio Brown. And Bill Madlock jokes about getting back into baseball. Maybe the Pirates should re-sign him and bat...
Tim Benz: Fans should hold Pirates’ Neal Huntington to his word after this quote
After a while, it gets tuned out. When Pittsburgh Pirates management waxes optimistic about good times ahead, it turns to white noise. With only four winning seasons since 1993, you build a filter. But please jot down this pearl from general manager Neal Huntington so you can have it ready...
Pirates minor league report: Francisco Cervelli goes 1 for 2 with RBI
INDIANAPOLIS (Triple-A, 61-65) lost 12-4 to Toledo (Tigers). LHP Brandon Waddell (2-6, 9.24 with Indianapolis) was responsible for the defeat after giving up four earned runs, seven total, in two innings with two strikeouts, three walks and six hits allowed. CF Jason Martin (.266) went 2 for 4 from the...
Trevor Williams’ struggles continue for Pirates in 13-0 loss to NationalsVideo
Trevor Williams spoke softly, but with conviction and purpose, while trying to explain what has gone wrong for him this season. He was roughed up Monday night by the Washington Nationals, lasting only the first two innings of the Pittsburgh Pirates’ 13-0 loss in front of a crowd of 11,284...
Chad Kuhl returns to PNC Park, vows 2020 comeback
Chad Kuhl stepped back onto the pitching mound last week in what can be considered an encouraging sign 11 months after Tommy John surgery. “I’ve been on the mound for a couple weeks now,” said Kuhl, who was back at PNC Park on Monday as part of his recovery. He...
Recent stretches by Pirates, Nationals show baseball’s unpredictability
When someone mentioned to Clint Hurdle on Monday afternoon that baseball is a difficult game to figure out, he enjoyed a good laugh. Which is probably a good thing for a manager to do occasionally when his team has lost 27 of 34 games. “There’s some wisdom there,” he said,...
Mark Madden: Roberto Clemente was great but not nearly greatest
Roberto Clemente would have turned 85 this past Sunday. If he’s not the best player in Pirates history, he’s definitely the most revered and rightly so. Clemente oozed class and poise, conducting himself in forthright fashion. His plane crashed while on a mission of charity, further sanctifying him in the...
Pirates open spring training schedule against Twins
The Pittsburgh Pirates will open their 33-game spring training schedule Feb. 22 at LECOM Park in Bradenton, Fla., against the Minnesota Twins. The schedule includes a total of nine opposing teams, including the Twins, Phillies, Orioles, Tigers, Blue Jays, Braves, Rays, Yankees and Red Sox. The Yankees and Red Sox...
Tim Benz, Mark Madden discuss Steelers’ momentum, Pirates’ moves
Mark Madden of 105.9 the X joins us from Las Vegas this week for “Madden Monday.” Since he is there, one of the topics we examine is if that city is truly ready for the Antonio Brown experience after the Raiders bolt from Oakland. Then again, if any place is...
Mitch Keller hit hard as Pirates lose Little League Classic to Cubs
WILLIAMSPORT — Jose Quintana pitched seven crisp innings, Anthony Rizzo hit a two-run homer and the Chicago Cubs beat the Pittsburgh Pirates, 7-1, on Sunday night in the MLB Little League Classic. Nicholas Castellanos and Jason Heyward also connected as Chicago earned its second straight win since consecutive heartbreaking losses...
Day after spirited comeback, Pirates bats go silent in home loss to CubsVideo
Steven Brault reported to work Saturday in a good mood. Inspired by the strong outing Friday night from his buddy Joe Musgrove and the Pittsburgh Pirates’ ninth-inning, game-winning rally, he was ready to take on the world. He settled for the Chicago Cubs and pitched what his manager called the...
After injury, Pirates haven’t forgotten about shortstop Erik GonzalezVideo
With his name in the starting lineup Saturday for only the 20th time this season, Erik Gonzalez reflected on one of best days of his major league career. That was the day — Nov. 14, 2018 — he was traded from the Cleveland Indians to the Pittsburgh Pirates. A shortstop...
Pirates’ Clint Hurdle has seen his share of clubhouse arguments
When asked about the culture in his clubhouse, Clint Hurdle made two points: • If there’s a confrontation, he said he won’t back down from it. • Heated conversations happen in big league clubhouses “way more than you have any clue about.” In the wake of the Pittsburgh Pirates’ epic...
Pirates minor league report: Aug. 16, 2019
INDIANAPOLIS (Triple-A, 60-62) lost 8-4 in eight innings to Lehigh Valley (Phillies) in Game 1 of a doubleheader. The second game ran late. The Indians led 4-2 after one inning before giving up two runs in the third inning and four in the eighth. 1B Will Craig (.253) hit a...
Kevin Newman’s walk-off single drives Pirates to 3-2 come-from-behind victory against Cubs
On a night when the Pittsburgh Pirates proved there’s still some fight left in a last-place team, Joe Musgrove thought it was time. It was time to put a foot down on the mound, which he did while helping carry the Pirates to a 3-2 victory Friday against the Chicago...
Pirates notebook: Clint Hurdle says Jacob Stallings ‘pays attention, does his homework’Video
Jacob Stallings was behind home plate for the Pittsburgh Pirates Friday night after missing the last game of the Los Angeles Angels series with a migraine. But he had started seven of the previous 11 games this month and has kept his batting average and OPS higher than that of...
Cole Tucker’s return to Pirates opens up lineup options for Clint HurdleVideo
Clint Hurdle called the promotion of Cole Tucker to the Pittsburgh Pirates roster Friday “short-term help.” And he was right. Jose Osuna has four games remaining on his five-game suspension for his part in the July 30 brawl with the Cincinnati Reds. With Osuna starting his suspension Wednesday against the...
Pirates minor league report: Aug. 15, 2019
INDIANAPOLIS (Triple-A, 60-62) lost 7-3 to Rochester (Twins). The Indains fell behind 7-0 after four innings. RHP Alex McRae (7-7, 5.15) took the los after giving up six earned runs on 10 hits with three strikeouts and a walk in four innings. SS Cole Tucker (.267) went 2 for 4...
Pirates’ Jameson Taillon looks to beat odds again after surgery
From Tommy John to Jameson Taillon, 466 MLB players have underwent ulnar collateral ligament surgery, some of them two or more times. Commonly called Tommy John surgery, it is named after the pitcher who had the first one performed on him by Dr. Frank Jobe on Sept. 25, 1974. John,...
Kevin Gorman: With Jameson Taillon out, Pirates must pay up for ace
When Dr. David Altchek operated on the flexor tendon of Jameson Taillon’s right arm and determined Tommy John surgery was required, the Pittsburgh Pirates lost their ace. Or, at least, Taillon was the closest thing the Pirates had to an ace, not to mention a leader. The 27-year-old right-hander was...
U mad, bro? Readers torn on Clint Hurdle, bash Antonio Brown, Penguins defense
In “U mad, bro?” this week, some fans attack Clint Hurdle. Others defend him. Antonio Brown is a target. So is Pirates management. And the Penguins defense doesn’t get away unscathed. Nick is fed up with the Pirates. “The Bucs will not be contenders until ownership agrees that a couple...
Pirates can’t maintain strong start in loss to AngelsVideo
ANAHEIM, Calif. — Los Angeles Angels slugger Albert Pujols doesn’t want to talk about his growing list of accomplishments until his career comes to an end. That leaves the task to the rest of baseball, and they are running out of ways to describe Pujols’ illustrious time in the game....
Pirates minor league report: Aug. 14, 2019
INDIANAPOLIS (Triple-A, 60-60) won 5-3 over Rochester (Twins). The Indians led 5-0 through four innings. C Christian Kelley (.183) hit a two-run double in the second inning. LF Trayvon Robinson (.308) hit a fourth-inning solo home run. LHP Brandon Waddell (2-5, 8.88 with Indianapolis) earned the victory after allowing one...
