Garrett Jones Ready To Return
Pirates first baseman Garrett Jones, who has been out with a strained left oblique, is closer to returning to the line-up after a round of batting practice this morning.
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Pirates first baseman Garrett Jones, who has been out with a strained left oblique, is closer to returning to the line-up after a round of batting practice this morning.
For the second straight game, the Pirates bench came through in the late innings as the Bucs beat the Blue Jays, 5-4 in 10 innings.
With the team going out and signing a new catcher this offseason, the Pirates pitching staff was looking towards spring training as an opportunity to familiarize themselves with Russell Martin.
After stints with the Phillies and, last season, the Diamondbacks, lefthander Mike Zagurski is trying to win a spot in the Pirates bullpen.
After two straight 19 home run seasons with the Marlins, and representing the team in the 2011 All-Star Game, Gaby Sanchez had off-season knee surgery and never fully recovered.
Pirates' broadcaster Steve Blass got drafted by the Pittsburgh Pirates out of high school.
The Pirates' McKechnie Field woes continued Saturday with a 5-4 loss to the Minnesota Twins in Bradenton, Fla., but presumptive ace A.J. Burnett took another step as he gets ready for his Opening Day start.
Heading into the weekend, most of the Pirates regulars are not among the leaders in plate appearances, but that is about to change.
Pirates manager Clint Hurdle had said that veteran Brandon Inge is "close" playing a position in Grapefruit League games and that'd be fine with Inge, who is recovered from shoulder surgery last September – well, almost.
Pittsburgh Pirates catcher Michael McKenry joins Vinnie & Cook on Sportsradio 93-7 The Fan for a spring training update.
Pirates Starter Jeff Locke is fighting for a spot in the Pirates rotation and talked about how the spring is going for him so far.
James McDonald allowed just one hit over 4 shutout innings, but his teammates were shut out for the first 8 innings in a 4-2 loss to Tampa Bay at a sundrenched but chilly and windswept McKechnie Field Thursday afternoon.
Native New Englander Jeff Locke made up for a disappointing outing in a 16-6 loss to the Boston Red Sox last Friday by lasting his scheduled 4 innings, allowing 1 run on 3 hits and 2 walks as the Pirates beat up on the Boston bullpen, 9-3, in Fort Myers.
The Pirates hopes for the future lie heavily on the arms of Gerrit Cole and Jameson Taillon, and Catcher Tony Sanchez has caught both of them and knows what they're capable of.
Together, they're considered the future of the Pittsburgh Pirates: Jameson Taillon, selected second overall in the 2010 MLB Draft, and Gerrit Cole, taken first overall in 2011. By May of next year, they could both be in the Pirates' starting rotation.
It was only against Team Spain (a collection of low-level minor-leaguers – if that), but Gerrit Cole flashed the stuff you'd expect to see from a number one overall draft pick by striking out the first six batters he faced before giving up a couple of seeing-eye singles in his third inning.
Pirates' prized pitching prospect Gerrit Cole had little trouble with Spain's entry into the World Baseball Classic. He struck out first 6 batters he faced.
Veteran Jeff Karstens was shut down early last season with a shoulder injury and, after returning from that, was hampered by late-season soreness in his hip.
The giant Vinnie Richichi head – the brainchild of The Fan Morning Show – made its resounding and highly successful debut this past Sunday at the Petersen Events Center during Pitt's overtime win over Villanova.
Pedro Alvarez is coming off a breakthrough season in which he hit 30 home runs with 85 RBIs.However, he also struck out 180 times – once every 3.3 plate appearances.
Newcomer Mike Zagurski may be a longshot to make the Pirates' 25-man roster, but he's yet to give up a hit in Spring Training.
Newcomer Mark Melancon not only lockers between the more outgoing Jared Hughes and Jason Grilli but could end up pitching between them in late-game situations.
It was tough enough for Pittsburgh fans to watch the Baltimore Ravens win the Super Bowl with Ray Lewis front and center; but with Pittsburgh playing the Tigers in Lakeland, Fla., on Saturday, it was Ray Lewis Day for the Lakeland native at Joker Marchant Stadium.
We have all heard so many times that action speaks louder than words. That seems to be the case with the Pirates players and coaches this spring. There are no slogans or printed t-shirts with "finish" on them in the clubhouse it just seems to be understood that this is a very important year. A year when winning is expected. The last two years have given the fans a taste of what post season baseball could be like but still are dealing with a losing streak of 20 straight years.
Neil Walker of the Pirates understands why people questioned the team's effort after last season, but thinks that it isn't always about stepping up your game.
