Pirates/MLB category, Page 192

The playoff picture is the furthest thing from the minds of the Pittsburgh Pirates, who started spring training without their best all-around player, ace pitcher and All-Star closer on a roster with a projected payroll around $50 million. That didn’t stop us from asking Pirates players about a New York...

BRADENTON, Fla. — The Pittsburgh Pirates are anticipating that right fielder Gregory Polanco will be healthy when he reports to Pirate City for spring training, director of sports medicine and performance Todd Tomczyk said Wednesday. Polanco played in only 42 games last season after having setbacks from surgery on his...

BRADENTON, Fla. — The Pittsburgh Pirates are adding another center fielder to their roster, as they reportedly agreed to a one-year contract with 10-year veteran Jarrod Dyson on Wednesday. The deal is pending Dyson passing a physical exam. The Pirates have agreed to a Major League deal with outfielder Jarrod...

BRADENTON, Fla. – The two players with the most prominent right arms in Pittsburgh sports saw their 2019 seasons end with surgery on their throwing elbows in a five-week span. As he rehabilitates from Tommy John surgery in mid-August, Pirates pitcher Jameson Taillon said he intends to closely monitor the...

BRADENTON, Fla. The least surprising storyline of spring training for the Pittsburgh Pirates is Keone Kela enters it with every intention of claiming the closer’s role. Kela is the front-runner to go from setup man to stopper to replace jailed two-time All-Star Felipe Vazquez, given the effectiveness Kela showed in...

In the wake of the Houston Astros sign-stealing scandal, one player I’ve been anxiously waiting to hear from is Charlie Morton. After his stint in Pittsburgh, Morton was traded to Philadelphia then to Houston where he ended up winning Game 7 of the 2017 World Series. It is that 2017...

Spare me the outrage. People in and out of MLB are being whipped into a frenzy again over the Houston Astros’ stealing signs on their way to a 2017 World Series win. Jared Diamond of the Wall Street Journal reported this week MLB’s claim the plan was “entirely player-driven” is...

If there is optimism surrounding the Pittsburgh Pirates entering spring training, it’s with the change in leadership. The starting lineup is another story. New Pirates manager Derek Shelton inherits a 93-loss team minus its ace pitcher, All-Star closer, veteran catcher and best all-around player when pitchers and catchers report to...

The question didn’t require an immediate answer, but Derek Shelton had one ready. “Who’s your opening day starter?” the Pittsburgh Pirates’ first-year manager was asked at PiratesFest, two months and two days before the season begins March 26 in Tampa. Shelton’s answer: “You got an opinion?” Everyone does, of course,...

Outlook for every attendee at Pirates spring training 2020: Note: Format is uniform number, player name, age, bats/throws, height/weight, MLB seasons, how acquired Infielders— 55 Josh Bell, 27, S/R, 6-4/250, 4, 2nd rd pick 2011 draft Bell was challenging Babe Ruth records his first two months of 2019; he cooled...

Two seasons ago, the Pittsburgh Pirates had an outfield of Corey Dickerson, Starling Marte and Gregory Polanco — all on the under side of 30 with specific, serviceable skill sets. • Dickerson, the left fielder, was on his way to a .300 season. • Marte ended 2018 with an impressive...

All you need to know about Ben Cherington’s and Derek Shelton’s expectations for the Pittsburgh Pirates is the team’s second-most-productive run producer doesn’t have a lock on his job. Chances are, Colin Moran will be difficult to unseat at third base (at least early in the season). He hit .277...

If nothing else, our readers show their great emotional range in this week’s “U mad, bro?” They are angry over Hall of Fame snubs. They are angry over Hall of Fame snubbers. They are angry at the idea of the Pirates trading away veteran talent. They are angry at the...