Pirates/MLB category, Page 274
Pirates’ Nick Kingham will start Wednesday, return to his comfort zone
During his rookie year in 2018, Nick Kingham did what he believes he does best – make 15 starts. But, with the Pittsburgh Pirates adding veteran Jordan Lyles to the rotation. he was forced to settle for a relief role this season. That will change Wednesday against the Texas Rangers....
With few off days, Cole Tucker, Kevin Newman may share time at shortstop for Pirates
The on-the-job training continued Sunday for Cole Tucker, who started his 14th consecutive game at shortstop for the Pittsburgh Pirates. Cole’s flawless glove – no errors in his first 59 chances — has enabled manager Clint Hurdle to remain patient with his rookie’s bat. He was hitting .205 before Sunday,...
Pirates prospect Mitch Keller working on new pitch as he awaits call-up
Neal Huntington is reluctant to use the word “inevitable” when assessing the possibility of top prospect Mitch Keller making his major-league debut this season. But the Pittsburgh Pirates general manager certainly gave the impression Sunday that Keller could help bolster the starting rotation at some point soon. “Inevitable is a...
A’s Skye Bolt, with family roots in New Ken, narrowly misses HR at PNC Park for 1st MLB hit
Skye Bolt’s first major-league hit came in Pittsburgh, not far from his late great-grandmother’s New Kensington home. But among all the joy of achieving a boyhood dream, Bolt also felt something else Saturday night at PNC Park. A bit of sheepishness. “I’ve gotten a fair amount of grief about it,”...
Pirates’ Steven Brault, Nick Kingham to take spots of injured Jameson Taillon, Chris Archer
On paper, at least, the Pittsburgh Pirates entered spring training with a three-man competition for the final spot in the starting rotation. They’re entering the first full week of May with all three of those men in the rotation. With Chris Archer and Jameson Taillon being placed on the injured...
Kevin Newman lifts Pirates over Athletics in 7th-inning rally
Kevin Newman began Saturday as a newly activated major leaguer in a new role. By the end of it, he was back at his long-familiar position and in a starring role of a Pittsburgh Pirates win. Newman’s seventh-inning, two-run triple into the right-field corner capped a rally from an early...
Pirates farm report for games of Saturday, May 4, 2019
INDIANAPOLIS (Triple-A, 15-13) lost 6-3 to Louisville (Reds). LHP Brandon Waddell (0-2, 8.56) took the loss after allowing five runs in 2/3 of an inning of relief. RHP Dario Agrazal (2-1, 1.32) allowed an unearned run in seven innings with seven strikeouts in a no decision. 1B Will Craig (.263)...
Pirates plan on making Kevin Newman more versatile after his activation
The Pittsburgh Pirates took advantage of a rehabilitation assignment to prepare Kevin Newman for a more versatile role. Newman, the Pirates’ first-round pick in 2015, was exclusively a shortstop during his first three professional seasons. Last season, he spent about a fifth of his time at second base, too. But...
Pirates go with 10-man bullpen after recall of Dovydas Neverauskas, DFA of JB Shuck
Their pitching staff strained by another injury to starting pitcher, the Pittsburgh Pirates added an arm to their bullpen Saturday with the recall of Dovydas Neverauskas. Neverauskas is a right-hander who appeared in 49 games the past two season for the Pirates, posting a 6.02 ERA and 1.38 WHIP with...
As starting pitcher injuries mount, are Pirates considering ‘openers’ for 1-2 innings?
Clint Hurdle clearly didn’t want to commit to it. But the Pittsburgh Pirates manager also didn’t seem too concerned about tipping his hand. Are the Pirates considering joining the mini-trend across the majors of using “opener” as their pitcher for the first one or two innings? “Do we have those...
Pirates’ Jameson Taillon placed on injured list with elbow injuryVideo
What first merely just felt “a little different” in Jameson Taillon’s right arm during spring training ultimately culminated in a trip to the injured list for the Pittsburgh Pirates opening day starter on Saturday. What has been diagnosed as an elbow flexor tendon strain will prevent Taillon from throwing for...
Pirates minor league report: May 3, 2019
Pirates INDIANAPOLIS (Triple-A, 15-12) won 7-5 over Louisville (Reds). 2B Kevin Kramer (.250) finished 3 for 3 with a grand slam, a double and five RBIs. CF Jason Martin (.250) went 2 for 4 with a double, a triple and two runs scored. 3B Ke’Bryan Hayes (.265) had a base...
Led by Josh Phegley’s 8 RBIs, A’s rough up Joe Musgrove, pound PiratesVideo
Joe Musgrove followed a late start with an early exit that saw his ERA go up and the Pittsburgh Pirates’ perfect record against the American League go down in flames. The Oakland A’s got four hits and eight RBIs from catcher Josh Phegley in a 14-1 victory over the Pirates...
Pirates notebook: Interleague play has been kind to Bucs
The Pittsburgh Pirates have called the National League home for more than a century, but recent interleague results might make them want switch leagues. “We’ve been really good the last couple years (against the American League),” said manager Clint Hurdle, whose team entered Friday with a 16-4 record at home...
Pirates rookie Bryan Reynolds takes fanfare around his hitting streak in strideVideo
On a leather chair, a baseball and batting gloves sat atop the Pittsburgh Pirates lineup card for a game against the Texas Rangers, personal keepsakes for rookie outfielder Bryan Reynolds. Reynolds pointed to his prized possessions — all from his first career major-league home run — as nonchalantly as he...
First Call: A safety for the Steelers?, Torts’ Tumble, a humiliating first pitch
In Friday’s “First Call,” we consider a familiar name as a fit for the Pittsburgh Steelers. Plus, the “Torts Tumble,” a humiliating first pitch, and people are already turning on Jameson Taillon. A safety for the Steelers? Keep this name in mind for free agency next season, Steelers fans. It’s...
Pirates minor league report: May 3, 2019
INDIANAPOLIS (Triple-A, 14-12) defeated Louisville (Reds), 5-3. All five Indians runs came in the fifth inning on a RHP Mitch Keller (.333) RBI double, LF Jose Osuna (.250) run-scoring single and a three-run homer from 1B Will Craig (.275) to put Indianapolis ahead, 5-2. Keller (3-0, 3.48) also got the...
Fantasy Sports podcast: Melky Cabrera’s hot start, NFL Draft impact
It’s our weekly fantasy sports podcast with Jeff Erickson of Rotowire. This week, we look at which draft choices could impact the fantasy football world. Kyler Murray leads the way. Josh Jacobs should help the Oakland Raiders. Those tight ends from Iowa could be worth a pick. And the New...
Pirates rookie Bryan Reynolds among under-25 players making impact
Bryan Reynolds never was hugged by a pop superstar. He was not invited to be guest of honor at an NBA playoff game. And he has yet to receive repeated standing ovations in his home ballpark, although the 24-year-old probably deserves one when the Pittsburgh Pirates return to PNC Park...
Pirates offering Jameson Taillon ‘Obi-Wan’ bobblehead on ‘Star Wars’ nightVideo
The Pittsburgh Pirates are holding their annual “Star Wars” night on Saturday. The May the Fourth event will feature costumed characters from the movie roaming the field and stadium. And fans are encouraged to dress up as “Star Wars” characters. A special Jameson Taillon “Obi Wan” bobblehead doll will be...
Pirates minor league report: May 1, 2019
Pirates INDIANAPOLIS (Triple-A, 13-12) lost 9-7 to Columbus (Indians). RHP Rookie Davis (0-2, 7.13) got the loss after allowing eight runs on 12 hits in five innings. Davis also gave up two home runs and had three strikeouts. The Indians hit three home runs in a game with six total...
Rookie Bryan Reynolds continues hot start as Pirates top Rangers 7-5
ARLINGTON, Texas — Rookie Bryan Reynolds is closing in on teammate Gregory Polanco for a little piece of Pittsburgh Pirates history. Polanco is enjoying the view. Reynolds kept up his impressive start, hitting a three-run double as the Pirates completed a two-game sweep in Texas by topping the Rangers, 7-5,...
Best news from Texas: Starling Marte’s bat comes alive in 11th inningVideo
Perhaps no one has noticed, but the Pittsburgh Pirates haven’t won a game the normal way — you know, in nine innings — since April 14 (and they haven’t done it at home since April 7). Since their most recent nine-inning victory at PNC Park, they’ve played four extra-inning games,...
Pirates snap 8-game skid with pair of 11th-inning HRs in TexasVideo
ARLINGTON, Texas — When Bryan Reynolds led off the 11th inning with his first career homer, everybody on the Pittsburgh Pirates’ bench erupted in celebration. They were all quiet by time the rookie rounded the bases and got back to the dugout. “We were all like so quick to hop...
Pirates minor league report: April 30, 2019
INDIANAPOLIS (Triple-A, 13-11) lost 7-6 to Columbus (Indians). RHP Clay Holmes (2-1, 5.93) blew the Indians’ 6-5 lead, giving up two ninth-inning runs on two hits and two walks. Holmes pitch 1 1/3 innings with a strikeout. RHP Eduardo Vera (0-2, 4.85) threw six innings with six strikeouts in a...
