Monday’s “First Call” has a defensive back signing for the Pittsburgh Steelers. Jameson Taillon will be back this week for the Cubs. The Pirates have a tough trip to Milwaukee looming. And T.J. McConnell is tearing it up with the Indiana Pacers.

All A’s for Anthony Averett

Anthony Averett’s audition was successful enough that the Steelers have signed him.

The six-year NFL veteran was brought into the rookie minicamp for a tryout this weekend. The Steelers decided to sign the Alabama alum to a one-year contract.

We have signed DB Anthony Averett. @BordasLaw

????: https://t.co/qthj68ljUp pic.twitter.com/3rGBUPUS1t

— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) May 12, 2024

The Steelers definitely need numbers at the cornerback position. At 5-foot-11, 184 pounds, Averett may be able to help in the slot, where ranks are particularly thin.

Averett spent some time on the Detroit Lions practice squad last season. Prior to that, he was with the 49ers, Raiders and Ravens.

Baltimore selected Averett in the fourth round of the 2018 NFL Draft. Averett has appeared in 51 NFL games during his career, starting 27 of them. He has 114 total tackles (99 solo), three career interceptions and 23 passes defended.

It doesn’t get any easier

After dropping two of three at home to the Chicago Cubs, the Pirates now have to go on the road to face the Milwaukee Brewers for three games starting Monday night.

The Brewers begin the series at 24-16, a half-game ahead of the Cubs (24-17) for first place in the NL Central. The Pirates are in third place at 18-23.

Milwaukee has plated 203 runs, best in the division. They have given up 168 runs, the fewest in the division. That plus-35 run differential is good for fourth in the NL overall.

The Pirates and Brewers split a four-game series at PNC Park earlier this year, with the Bucs winning the first two games 4-2 and 2-1 behind Jared Jones and Bailey Falter respectively. They dropped the next two 3-2 and 7-5.

Via MLB.com, Mitch Keller (3-3, 4.41 ERA), Quinn Priester (0-3, 3.86) and Martin Perez (1-2, 3.60) are the scheduled starters for Pittsburgh. Milwaukee will counter with Colin Rea (3-0, 3.29), Joe Ross (1-4, 4.75) and Robert Gasser (1-0, 0.00)

More sports

• Madden Monday: If Steelers don’t land a legit No. 2 WR, Omar Khan will have ‘flunked the offseason’ • Undrafted free agent John Rhys Plumlee hoping to stick with Steelers at QB • Mark Madden’s Hot Take: Najee Harris hasn’t been a problem yet, but is trouble looming with Steelers?

Back in line

After being scratched for his start here in Pittsburgh on Friday night, former Pirate Jameson Taillon is not going on the injured list.

Instead, Taillon will pitch Tuesday in Atlanta. That’s according to Chicago Sun-Times writer Maddie Lee.

Taillon’s tight back resulted in him missing a start in his former stadium on Friday. But apparently the 32-year-old right-hander responded well enough after a bullpen session Saturday to clear him to take the mound against the Braves.

With Kyle Hendricks (who also had a back ailment) coming off the injured list to start Sunday’s win over the Pirates, Taillon will end up taking over the spot in the rotation that had previously belonged to Hayden Wesneski. He has been moved to the bullpen.

Cubs probables at Atlanta:

Monday — Imanaga Tuesday — TaillonWednesday — TBD

Wesneski will be available out of the bullpen for this turn in the rotation, Counsell said.

— Maddie Lee (@maddie_m_lee) May 12, 2024

So far this year, Taillon is 3-0 with a 1.13 ERA. He’ll be opposed by Atlanta’s Chris Sale.

T.J. paces Pacers

T.J. McConnell is continuing his excellent postseason.

The Chartiers Valley graduate just posted a double-double as his Indiana Pacers throttled the New York Knicks, 121-89, in Game 4 of their Eastern Conference semifinal series Sunday afternoon.

The one-time Duquesne Duke scored 15 points, added 10 assists and was a plus-27 in 21 minutes on the floor.

T.J. McConnell is having himself a series ????

he finished with his second double-double in three games in our Game 4 win. pic.twitter.com/BLDWSfbvD2

— Indiana Pacers (@Pacers) May 12, 2024

That series is now tied at two games apiece with Game 5 set for Tuesday at Madison Square Garden. McConnell also had 10 points and 12 assists in Game 2. He put up 20 points and nine assists in a decisive Game 6 win in the first-round series against Milwaukee.

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