Pittsburgh Pirates / MLB
Nick Yorke revels in being a ‘dirtbag ballplayer,’ willing to play any position the Pirates ask
BRADENTON, Fla. — For Nick Yorke, spring training meant adding another glove to play another position for the Pittsburgh Pirates. Where he added a first baseman’s mitt to his collection last year, a new one was needed to handle the hot corner this year. Selected 17th overall as a shortstop...
Billy Cook bounces back from season-ending injury with big day as Pirates beat Red Sox
BRADENTON, Fla. — Billy Cook was one of the feel-good stories among Pittsburgh Pirates September call-ups in 2024, as the outfielder made his major-league debut and had five extra-base hits and eight RBIs. A year later, Cook could only cheer for his teammates at Triple-A Indianapolis who got their promotions...
Tim Benz Podcasts
Pirates GM Ben Cherington pumps brakes on Konnor Griffin’s chances of making the team
BRADENTON, Fla. — Konnor Griffin has been one of the biggest stories in baseball this spring training, as baseball’s consensus No. 1 prospect’s five-tool talents have been on display in Grapefruit League games. Whether it was hitting two home runs over the replica Green Monster against the Boston Red Sox...
Healthy Hunter Barco adds new pitches in push for starting spot as Pirates top Tigers
LAKELAND, Fla. — Hunter Barco is pitching without restrictions this spring training, and having the reins off has the left-hander finally feeling like a starting pitcher for the Pittsburgh Pirates. “I feel much more free,” Barco said. “I don’t have to worry about anything. I’m just going out there pitching...
After recovering from badly broken arm, new Pirate Tyler Callihan seeks to dispel any doubts
BRADENTON, Fla. — Tyler Callihan seeks perfection in preparation, whether it’s working to keep his swing short to the ball or finding comfort in the field at second base, third base or the outfield. “It’s huge for me,” Callihan said. “I try to prepare as much as I can before...
Braxton Ashcraft proves sinker can be effective complement to slider as Pirates lose to Phillies
BRADENTON, Fla. — Braxton Ashcraft decided to flip the script on his pitch usage against the Philadelphia Phillies, throwing his sinker five times more than his four-seam fastball. The intention was for the sinker to provide a perfect complement to his bread-and-butter pitch, the slider, against a lineup loaded with...
A bad hop broke Pirates 3rd base prospect Jack Brannigan’s nose but not his resolve
BRADENTON, Fla. — Bryson Stott’s sharp grounder hit the lip between the grass and infield dirt, skipping over the glove of Pittsburgh Pirates third baseman Jack Brannigan and hitting him square in the nose. It happened so fast that Brannigan was stunned. As his eyes began to water, a thought...
Alika Williams hits 2-run shot for 1st homer as a major leaguer but Pirates lose to Cardinals
BRADENTON, Fla. — Alika Williams would love to tell the tale of what it was like to watch his first home run in a Pittsburgh Pirates uniform, even one that came in a Grapefruit League game. One problem. “I didn’t see it. My head was down,” Williams said. “I didn’t...
Pirates great Andrew McCutchen to sign a minor-league deal with Rangers, per report
BRADENTON, Fla. — One of the biggest storylines entering spring training was that the Pittsburgh Pirates appeared to be moving on from franchise icon Andrew McCutchen. The 39-year-old designated hitter isn’t done playing baseball. The five-time All-Star and 2013 National League MVP is signing a minor-league deal with an invite...
1 year later, reliever Justin Lawrence finds rhythm, seeks defined role with the Pirates
BRADENTON, Fla. — Justin Lawrence sent his wife a joke text wishing her a happy anniversary Sunday, marking a year since he was designated for assignment by the Colorado Rockies. Lawrence celebrated the one-year anniversary of being claimed by the Pittsburgh Pirates with an impressive outing in a World Baseball...
Pirates trade reliever Kyle Nicolas to Reds for IF/OF Tyler Callihan
The Pittsburgh Pirates traded right-handed reliever Kyle Nicolas to the Cincinnati Reds for infielder/outfielder Tyler Callihan. Callihan, 25, is ranked the Reds’ No. 19 prospect by both Baseball America and MLB Pipeline. The 5-foot-11, 205-pounder made his major league debut April 30 and went 1 for 6 in four games....
Kevin Gorman’s Take 5: Why an ex-Pirates player finds Konnor Griffin ‘hard not to root for’
BRADENTON, Fla. — The good-natured ribbing came from across the Pittsburgh Pirates clubhouse, as a teammate teased Konnor Griffin about finally getting a hit that stayed inside the ballpark. Too bad it didn’t count. After his first three hits of spring training were home runs — all with exit velocities...
Pirates’ Paul Skenes solid as U.S. cruises past Giants in tuneup for World Baseball Classic
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — The United States wasted little time showing how potent its roster could be at the upcoming World Baseball Classic. The Americans needed just three batters to take a 2-0 lead in the first inning of their exhibition game against the San Francisco Giants on Tuesday after Bobby...
For Bethel Park’s Justin Meis, pitching for Colombia against Pirates ‘definitely different’
BRADENTON, Fla. — Justin Meis was so flustered after he finished the fourth inning that he went to the wrong dugout. Meis could only laugh, knowing it was an understandable mistake. The 26-year-old right-hander, who spent last season with Double-A Altoona, pitched for Team Colombia in a 7-1 loss to...
Team USA sets pitcher rotation for World Baseball Classic, including Pirates’ Paul Skenes
PHOENIX — San Francisco Giants ace Logan Webb will start on the mound for Team USA in its first World Baseball Classic game Friday night against Brazil, manager Mark DeRosa said Monday. DeRosa added that two-time defending AL Cy Young Award winner Tarik Skubal is expected to start Saturday against...
Spring shift: Ryan O’Hearn ‘getting ready to be a solid right fielder’ for Pirates
BRADENTON, Fla. — The possibility of playing right field was discussed briefly between Ryan O’Hearn and the Pittsburgh Pirates during free agency, but the plan was for him to split time primarily at first base and designated hitter. When the Pirates signed three-time All-Star designated hitter Marcell Ozuna, they called...
Alika Williams starts scoring as Pirates top Rays, hopes to add value with defensive depth
BRADENTON, Fla. — Alika Williams knew that Jake Mangum had the green light to steal second base, so he took a few steps from third base and got ready to read the throw. When pitcher Mason Englert’s throw to second went wide of Tampa Bay Rays shortstop Jose Barrios, Williams...
Finally healthy, righty Mike Clevinger chasing rotation spot or bulk relief role with Pirates
BRADENTON, Fla. — Mike Clevinger has a season on his resume that no other Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher can claim. But he knows it doesn’t carry much weight in his quest to earn a roster spot this spring. Clevinger had 207 strikeouts in 200 innings over 32 starts for Cleveland...
