Pirates/MLB category, Page 98

I understand where Andrew McCutchen was coming from when he gave his rah-rah speech Sunday after the Pittsburgh Pirates were swept by the San Francisco Giants. It’s the kind of veteran leader “pull yourself up by your bootstraps” stuff you have to say after a 10th loss in 12 tries....

When Austin Hedges noticed an Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher throw a split-finger fastball earlier this month, the Pittsburgh Pirates catcher asked 43-year-old left-hander Rich Hill if he’d ever thrown the pitch. The splitter is one of an array of pitches Hill has thrown over the course of his 19-year major league...

The Pittsburgh Pirates looked to the future by turning back the clock, having right-hander Quinn Priester and catcher Endy Rodriguez become their first battery in 80 years to make their major league debuts together. With the season spiraling and infielders Ke’Bryan Hayes and Ji Hwan Bae injured, manager Derek Shelton...

Endy Rodriguez had a sneaking suspicion the Pittsburgh Pirates had a promotion planned when he was scheduled to be off Sunday, just days after returning from the All-Star break. “I was thinking, ‘It was a long break. I just played two games,’ ” said Rodriguez, rated a top-100 prospect by...

The Pittsburgh Pirates made roster moves Monday involving a pair of first-round draft picks — one expected and one a surprise — and two players acquired in major trades. The Pirates selected the contract of right-handed pitcher Quinn Priester, a 2019 first-rounder, and recalled catcher Endy Rodriguez and shortstop Liover...

INDIANAPOLIS (Triple-A, 42-47) clobbered Omaha (Royals), 11-4. 3B Vinny Capra (.271) went 4 for 4 with two doubles, two runs scored and three RBIs. CF Chris Owings (.241) went 1 for 3 with his seventh home run. 2B Josh Bissonette (.228) went 1 for 5 with a three-run homer, his...

With their season spinning out of control, the Pittsburgh Pirates are turning to a trio of their top-10 prospects for help. In addition to right-handed pitcher Quinn Priester, who will make his major-league debut Monday against Cleveland, the Pirates are promoting catcher Endy Rodriguez and shortstop Liover Peguero from Triple-A...

As their season spirals further away from an amazing April and closer to the bottom of the NL Central standings, the Pittsburgh Pirates are searching for solutions to stop their descent. Since a 20-9 start, the Pirates (41-52) are playing at a .333 winning percentage, have lost twice as many...

The Pittsburgh Pirates are plunging toward last place in the NL Central, a freefall for which they don’t seem to have any answers. The Pirates tied San Francisco in the eighth inning but left the bases loaded, allowing the game to go into extra innings. Joc Pederson’s sacrifice fly gave...

After a comebacker bounced off his calf in the first inning Friday night, Quinn Priester returned to the dugout and was informed by Indianapolis Indians manager Miguel Perez he was being pulled from the game. The 22-year-old right-hander was in for a sweet surprise. “He was like, ‘We’re not risking...

Andrew McCutchen is back with the Pittsburgh Pirates. Rodolfo Castro is headed to the minors. The Pirates made a pair of roster moves before Sunday’s game against the San Francisco Giants, activating McCutchen (right elbow inflammation) from the 10-day injured list and optioning Castro to Triple-A Indianapolis. McCutchen, 36, is...

INDIANAPOLIS (Triple-A, 41-47) dropped an 8-3 decision to Omaha (Royals). 2B Alika Williams (.301) was 3 for 4 with a solo home run. C Endy Rodriguez (.268) was 2 for 4 with two doubles. RF Miguel Andujar (.364) knocked in his 63rd run of the season. 1B Aaron Shackelford (.232)...

Johan Oviedo came into his first start of the second half with six consecutive losses, a streak the Pittsburgh Pirates right-hander desperately wanted to end against the San Francisco Giants. Oviedo delivered a strong start, tying his career high with 10 strikeouts while allowing only one hit before exiting with...

As Oscar Marin faces the pressure of filling spots in the starting rotation this season, the Pittsburgh Pirates pitching coach can’t help but keep an eye on the future after they loaded up on pitching in the draft. Marin was thrilled the Pirates selected LSU right-hander Paul Skenes with the...

INDIANAPOLIS (Triple-A, 41-46) hammered Omaha (Royals), 13-5. C Endy Rodriguez (.265) went 3 for 4 with a grand slam, his sixth homer. He scored three runs, drove in five and walked. SS Liover Peguero (.261) went 2 for 5 with a pair of homers, his first and second. DH Miguel...

Ahead of their Friday evening home game against San Francisco, the Pittsburgh Pirates took some key steps toward locking in their 2023 MLB Draft class, putting pen to paper with a handful of selections. A shortstop and three right-handed pitchers officially signed with the Pirates, with the four players present...

The way the Pittsburgh Pirates blew a lead against the San Francisco Giants had their fans ready to blow a gasket. Austin Hedges, the veteran catcher starting for his defense, allowed a passed ball that put the tying run at third base and the go-ahead run at second. Rookie right...

On the eighth anniversary of his All-Star Game home run, Andrew McCutchen was in no mood to reminisce Friday afternoon about playing in the Midsummer Classic. Asked what he remembers about his solo shot off the American League’s Chris Archer to lead off the sixth inning to join Ralph Kiner,...

Already enjoying himself during the pre-All Star Game festivities at Seattle’s T-Mobile Park, Mitch Keller received some news that took his excitement to an even higher level. During batting practice ahead of the Home Run Derby on Monday, Keller was approached by National League skipper Rob Thomson. “Thomson came up...

Barry Bonds has rarely groused publicly about his exclusion from the Baseball Hall of Fame. But he presented his case thusly on a recent podcast: “I was vindicated. I went to court, I was in federal court, and I won my case, 100 percent. Where is the vindication of me...

The Pittsburgh Pirates have five players in Baseball America’s new Top 100 Prospects list, including two new additions. The Pirates’ new top prospect is Paul Skenes, the LSU right-hander selected with the No. 1 overall pick of the 2023 MLB Draft. Skenes is ranked sixth by Baseball America, behind Cincinnati...

Between now and the Aug. 1 MLB trade deadline, one topic figures to be the subject of plenty of debate amond Pittsburgh sports fans: Should the Pirates trade All-Star closer David Bednar? MLB.com got the ball rolling Thursday, naming Bednar one of the six All-Stars most likely to be dealt...

The Pittsburgh Pirates transferred the option of struggling right-handed pitcher Roansy Contreras from Triple-A Indianapolis to their Florida Complex League team. After going 5-5 with a 3.79 ERA and 1.27 WHIP in 21 games, including 18 starts, last season, the 23-year-old Contreras entered the season expected to be one of...

If the answer is “Roberto Clemente and Adam Hyzdu,” what the heck could the trivia question possibly be? In a little more than a week, Clemente and Hyzdu will be the only players to have their numbers retired by the Altoona Curve, the Double-A affiliate of the Pittsburgh Pirates. The...