Pirates/MLB category, Page 228

The on-the-job training continued Sunday for Cole Tucker, who started his 14th consecutive game at shortstop for the Pittsburgh Pirates. Cole’s flawless glove – no errors in his first 59 chances — has enabled manager Clint Hurdle to remain patient with his rookie’s bat. He was hitting .205 before Sunday,...

Neal Huntington is reluctant to use the word “inevitable” when assessing the possibility of top prospect Mitch Keller making his major-league debut this season. But the Pittsburgh Pirates general manager certainly gave the impression Sunday that Keller could help bolster the starting rotation at some point soon. “Inevitable is a...

Skye Bolt’s first major-league hit came in Pittsburgh, not far from his late great-grandmother’s New Kensington home. But among all the joy of achieving a boyhood dream, Bolt also felt something else Saturday night at PNC Park. A bit of sheepishness. “I’ve gotten a fair amount of grief about it,”...

On paper, at least, the Pittsburgh Pirates entered spring training with a three-man competition for the final spot in the starting rotation. They’re entering the first full week of May with all three of those men in the rotation. With Chris Archer and Jameson Taillon being placed on the injured...

Kevin Newman began Saturday as a newly activated major leaguer in a new role. By the end of it, he was back at his long-familiar position and in a starring role of a Pittsburgh Pirates win. Newman’s seventh-inning, two-run triple into the right-field corner capped a rally from an early...

INDIANAPOLIS (Triple-A, 15-13) lost 6-3 to Louisville (Reds). LHP Brandon Waddell (0-2, 8.56) took the loss after allowing five runs in 2/3 of an inning of relief. RHP Dario Agrazal (2-1, 1.32) allowed an unearned run in seven innings with seven strikeouts in a no decision. 1B Will Craig (.263)...

The Pittsburgh Pirates took advantage of a rehabilitation assignment to prepare Kevin Newman for a more versatile role. Newman, the Pirates’ first-round pick in 2015, was exclusively a shortstop during his first three professional seasons. Last season, he spent about a fifth of his time at second base, too. But...

Their pitching staff strained by another injury to starting pitcher, the Pittsburgh Pirates added an arm to their bullpen Saturday with the recall of Dovydas Neverauskas. Neverauskas is a right-hander who appeared in 49 games the past two season for the Pirates, posting a 6.02 ERA and 1.38 WHIP with...

Clint Hurdle clearly didn’t want to commit to it. But the Pittsburgh Pirates manager also didn’t seem too concerned about tipping his hand. Are the Pirates considering joining the mini-trend across the majors of using “opener” as their pitcher for the first one or two innings? “Do we have those...

Pirates INDIANAPOLIS (Triple-A, 15-12) won 7-5 over Louisville (Reds). 2B Kevin Kramer (.250) finished 3 for 3 with a grand slam, a double and five RBIs. CF Jason Martin (.250) went 2 for 4 with a double, a triple and two runs scored. 3B Ke’Bryan Hayes (.265) had a base...

The Pittsburgh Pirates have called the National League home for more than a century, but recent interleague results might make them want switch leagues. “We’ve been really good the last couple years (against the American League),” said manager Clint Hurdle, whose team entered Friday with a 16-4 record at home...

In Friday’s “First Call,” we consider a familiar name as a fit for the Pittsburgh Steelers. Plus, the “Torts Tumble,” a humiliating first pitch, and people are already turning on Jameson Taillon. A safety for the Steelers? Keep this name in mind for free agency next season, Steelers fans. It’s...

INDIANAPOLIS (Triple-A, 14-12) defeated Louisville (Reds), 5-3. All five Indians runs came in the fifth inning on a RHP Mitch Keller (.333) RBI double, LF Jose Osuna (.250) run-scoring single and a three-run homer from 1B Will Craig (.275) to put Indianapolis ahead, 5-2. Keller (3-0, 3.48) also got the...

It’s our weekly fantasy sports podcast with Jeff Erickson of Rotowire. This week, we look at which draft choices could impact the fantasy football world. Kyler Murray leads the way. Josh Jacobs should help the Oakland Raiders. Those tight ends from Iowa could be worth a pick. And the New...

Bryan Reynolds never was hugged by a pop superstar. He was not invited to be guest of honor at an NBA playoff game. And he has yet to receive repeated standing ovations in his home ballpark, although the 24-year-old probably deserves one when the Pittsburgh Pirates return to PNC Park...

Pirates INDIANAPOLIS (Triple-A, 13-12) lost 9-7 to Columbus (Indians). RHP Rookie Davis (0-2, 7.13) got the loss after allowing eight runs on 12 hits in five innings. Davis also gave up two home runs and had three strikeouts. The Indians hit three home runs in a game with six total...

ARLINGTON, Texas — Rookie Bryan Reynolds is closing in on teammate Gregory Polanco for a little piece of Pittsburgh Pirates history. Polanco is enjoying the view. Reynolds kept up his impressive start, hitting a three-run double as the Pirates completed a two-game sweep in Texas by topping the Rangers, 7-5,...

INDIANAPOLIS (Triple-A, 13-11) lost 7-6 to Columbus (Indians). RHP Clay Holmes (2-1, 5.93) blew the Indians’ 6-5 lead, giving up two ninth-inning runs on two hits and two walks. Holmes pitch 1 1/3 innings with a strikeout. RHP Eduardo Vera (0-2, 4.85) threw six innings with six strikeouts in a...

ARLINGTON, Texas — Pittsburgh Pirates catcher Francisco Cervelli left Tuesday night’s game at Texas after being hit on his left wrist by a pitch. Cervelli was in obvious pain after being struck by the pitch from Adrian Sampson in the second inning. But Cervelli initially remained in the game, going...