Pirates/MLB category, Page 286
Erik Gonzalez looking like Pirates opening-day shortstopVideo
Pittsburgh Pirates general manager Neal Huntington compared Erik Gonzalez to an established and respected major league veteran shortstop. Manager Clint Hurdle said the team’s scouts tell him Gonzalez can be “dynamic, very good.” And even Gonzalez himself disclosed that the day he was traded to the Pirates was “one of...
Chad Kuhl’s fiancée becomes his ‘caretaker’ in Tommy John recoveryVideo
After Chad Kuhl had Tommy John surgery, he knew life would change, at least temporarily. The Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher couldn’t lift weights. He couldn’t throw, of course. He still could hang out with teammates, but it was as a spectator. But he didn’t count on this: He couldn’t even squeeze...
Allegheny Yinzers? Pirates’ Double-A affiliate to rebrand for 7 games
Entering its 21st season as the Pittsburgh Pirates’ Double-A affiliate, the Altoona Curve has decided to pay homage to its parent Major League team and the city it resides in two hours west. For seven select weekend home games in 2019, the Curve will be known as the “Allegheny Yinzers.”...
Betting odds figure Pirates are destined for last place in NL Central
If the betting lines released Tuesday by BetOnline.ag are any indication, the Pittsburgh Pirates are poised to take a step back this season. Coming off their fourth winning season (82-79) since 1992, the Pirates are looking to improve. Don’t bet on it, BetOnline.ag says. The Pirates were listed with an...
Pirates announce 2019 minor-league managerial and coaching assignments
Staff listings for 2019 for each of the nine minor-league affiliates of the Pittsburgh Pirates, as announced by the organization Froday: INDIANAPOLIS (AAA) Manager: Brian Esposito Hitting Coach: Ryan Long Pitching Coach: Bryan Hickerson Athletic Trainer: Dru Scott Strength & Conditioning: Alan Burr ••• ALTOONA (AA) Manager: Michael Ryan Hitting...
Joel Hanrahan’s promotion to Altoona highlights Pirates ‘19 minor-league coaching assignments
The Pittsburgh Pirates announced their minor-league managerial and coaching assignments Friday, and the most familiar name to casual fans will be the pitching coach at Double-A Altoona. Popular former Pirates closer Joel Hanrahan was bumped from the Pirates’ Class Low-A affiliate to serve as the pitching coach for the Double-A...
More tales from Pirates announcer Steve Blass, a master story-teller
Steve Blass can captivate an audience like few announcers before him, and he was at his best Tuesday at PNC Park. A room full of family members and friends listened while he recounted his 60 years with the Pittsburgh Pirates and told them 2019 would his 34th and last in...
Pirates’ 2019 Spring Training schedule released
Spring — at least Spring Training — is nearly here. The Pittsburgh Pirates’ 2019 Spring Training schedule was announced Tuesday. The list includes four meetings with the World Series champion Boston Red Sox; the first of which happens Feb. 25 in Bradenton. The Pirates open their exhibition schedule Feb. 23...
Steve Blass to retire after his 60th season with PiratesVideo
On the day Steve Blass announced this season will be his 34th and last in the Pittsburgh Pirates broadcast booth, all 60 of his years with the team surfaced like little bits and pieces of his life put back together in a picture frame. He remembered old friends he met...
15 Pirates players scheduled to appear at PiratesFest
Pittsburgh Pirates season-ticket holders and other fans will be able to meet and secure autographs from as many as 15 players during PiratesFest on Jan. 26 at PNC Park. Five separate sessions, with three players in each, are scheduled from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. The sessions, which will take...
Pirates avoid arbitration with Corey Dickerson, Keone Kela
The Pittsburgh Pirates avoided the sometimes-messy arbitration process, beating the deadline by agreeing to one-year contracts with Corey Dickerson and Keone Kela on Friday. Dickerson became the Pirates’ starting left fielder last season after a spring-training trade from the Tampa Bay Rays, and Kela became their top set-up man after...
Pirates claim tall righty Aaron Slegers off waivers from Twins
The Pittsburgh Pirates on Friday made a big addition to their pitching staff. Literally. The Pirates claimed 6-foot-10 right-hander Aaron Slegers off waivers from the Minnesota Twins. Slegers was the Twins’ minor league pitcher of the year in 2017 but struggled over four stints in the majors last season. A...
Former Rangers manager Jeff Banister returns to Pirates
Jeff Banister is returning to the Pittsburgh Pirates. General manager Neal Huntington announced Sunday that Banister, who had been a member of the Pirates organization for 29 years, has been hired as a special assistant, baseball operations. Banister, 54, spent the past four seasons as the manager of the Texas...
Top 3B prospect Ke’Bryan Hayes, former 1st-rounder Will Craig invited to Pirates spring training
The organization’s top hitting prospect and a former first-round pick are among those that the Pittsburgh Pirates announced Saturday will be invited to spring training. Third baseman Ke’Bryan Hayes is rated as the Pirates’ No. 2 overall prospect by MLB Pipeline, and first baseman Will Craig was the No. 22...
Lefty reliever Tyler Lyons among 4 non-roster invitees to Pirates spring training
One of the National League’s best left-handed set-up men just two seasons ago is among four nonroster invitees to spring training, the Pittsburgh Pirates announced Friday. Former St. Louis Cardinals reliever Tyler Lyons was invited to the Pirates’ major-league camp, which begins the week prior to Lyons’ 31st birthday. Lyons...
