Pirates/MLB category, Page 281
Pirates catcher Jacob Stallings faces make-or-break spring training
Jacob Stallings came to spring training with the Pirates Pirates under different circumstances, not just in competing for a spot on the Opening Day roster but because he is out of minor-league options. This is a make-or-break spring for Stallings. “Maybe there’s a little heightened sense of focus on everything...
Kevin Gorman: After winning Gold Glove, Pirates’ Corey Dickerson focused on what’s nextVideo
Corey Dickerson followed his first All-Star Game appearance in 2017 with his first Gold Glove last season, so it was only natural to ask the Pittsburgh Pirates leftfielder about his goals for this season. Dickerson was a step ahead of me, not just in answering the question. In nearly two...
Jung Ho Kang homers, Steven Brault struggles as Pirates fall to Yankees
Jung Ho Kang’s strong spring continued at the plate, but Steven Brault’s bid for the fifth spot in the Pittsburgh Pirates rotation took a hit Thursday. Kang hit his third home run of spring training, but Brault struggled on the mound as the Pirates dropped an 8-6 decision to the...
Jason Martin supplies only offense for Pirates in loss to Blue Jays
Jason Martin hit his second home run of spring training in the bottom of the first inning, but the Pittsburgh Pirates dropped a 2-1 decision against the visiting Blue Jays (1-3) on Wednesday afternoon in Bradenton, Fla. Right fielder Lonnie Chisenhall and first baseman Josh Bell each went 1 for...
First call: Pirates catcher makes highlight-reel grab; Marc-Andre Fleury gets 30th win
For “First Call” on Wednesday, a Pirates catcher gets attention in spring training. A Bengal may be on the move. A magic mark for Marc-Andre Fleury. Baron von Catch Can your team’s catch of the year happen in spring training? Is that allowed? Take a look at this snag by...
Mitch Keller allows 2 runs as Pirates suffer 1st spring loss
Top prospect Mitch Keller started and allowed three hits and two runs in an inning as the Pittsburgh Pirates lost 6-5 to the Minnesota Twins on Tuesday in Fort Myers, Fla. It was the Pirates’ first loss in Grapefruit League action. Relief pitcher Michael Feliz worked two scoreless innings, and...
Pirates move to 3-0 with spring training win over Red Sox
Left fielder Melky Cabrera played the first five innings and went 1 for 2 with a double, third baseman Colin Moran doubled and scored in the first inning, and the Pittsburgh Pirates improved to 3-0 with a come-from-behind victory against Boston (2-1) on Monday in Bradenton. Shortstop Kevin Newman had...
Third-base prospect Ke’Bryan Hayes living out childhood dreams at Pirates campVideo
BRADENTON, Fla. — Ke’Bryan Hayes compared the moment to backyard baseball, the kind of storybook ending to a spring training home opener that a kid can only dream about. With two outs and the bases loaded in the ninth inning of a tied game, Hayes worked a full count against...
Kevin Gorman: Jung Ho Kang’s smashing spring debut a strong sign for Pirates
BRADENTON, Fla. The Pittsburgh Pirates are focused on their great unknowns, from finding a fifth starter in their rotation to an everyday shortstop to solidifying their middle infield and locating a potential power bat. Perhaps the greatest unknown is what the Pirates will get out of third baseman Jung Ho...
Lonnie Chisenhall, Erik Gonzalez in starting lineup for Pirates’ spring home opener
BRADENTON, Fla. – New acquisitions Lonnie Chisenhall and Erik Gonzalez will be in the starting lineup when the Pirates play the Miami Marlins in their home opener Sunday at LECOM Park. Chisenhall will bat leadoff and play right field. He was signed as a free agent and slated to start...
Kevin Gorman: Andrew McCutchen and Phillies a reminder of Pirates’ choices
CLEARWATER, Fla. Andrew McCutchen was sitting at his locker stall and twisting the locks atop his head when asked why he signed a free-agent contract with the Philadelphia Phillies. McCutchen broke into a broad smile. “See what they offered me?” McCutchen said, laughing in reference to his three-year, $50-million contract....
Jason Martin’s 2-run homer in 9th leads Pirates past Phillies in spring opener
CLEARWATER, Fla. – When Pittsburgh Pirates centerfielder Jason Martin misplayed a deep fly ball, the Philadelphia Phillies scored the game-tying run in the top of the eighth inning. But Martin made up for his mistake in a big way, hitting a two-run home run in the top of the ninth...
Energized Pirates ready for Saturday’s Grapefruit League openerVideo
BRADENTON, Fla. — The Pittsburgh Pirates finished their final workout Friday at Pirate City on a positive note when right fielder Gregory Polanco perfectly executed a sliding drill on a padded mat. It was a symbolic ending for both Polanco, who suffered a season-ending shoulder injury on an awkward slide...
Garth Brooks on spring training with Pirates: ‘This is heaven for me’Video
BRADENTON, Fla. — As much as Garth Brooks enjoyed having a locker stall between Jameson Taillon and Chris Archer and sharing left field and a batting cage with Corey Dickerson, the country music legend will leave Pirate City cherishing another memory. Brooks was as thrilled about kneeling down to have...
Kevin Gorman: Hard to embrace Bob Nutting’s spin on Pirates’ payroll
BRADENTON, Fla. — Spend an hour asking Bob Nutting questions and the first thing baseball fans want to know is whether even the Pittsburgh Pirates chairman believes his own bull. The answer is an unapologetic yes. Nutting puts a politician’s spin on his ownership, with evasive answers that tend to...
Double-A Eastern League changes playoff format
The Double-A Eastern League, which includes the Pittsburgh Pirates’ Altoona Curve farm team, will change its playoff format, awarding postseason berths to the first-place team from each division during the first and second halves of the season. The change goes into effect this season. Postseason berths will be awarded to...
Rookie Davis ready to compete for job in Pirates rotationVideo
BRADENTON, Fla. — Rookie Davis was patient during the free-agent process, waiting for a chance to be a starting pitcher while working to get his body healthy for the first time in two seasons. After signing with the Pittsburgh Pirates on Monday, Davis arrived at Pirate City on Thursday and...
Pirates reliever Kyle Crick pitches constantly trying to prove himselfVideo
BRADENTON, Fla. — Kyle Crick returned to Pirate City this year with a chip on his shoulder, one that serves as motivation for the Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher to never allow himself to be comfortable or complacent. The right-handed reliever admits to being ticked off he didn’t make the Pirates’ Opening...
9 innings with Bob Nutting: A Q&A session with the Pirates chairman
BRADENTON, Fla. — The Pittsburgh Pirates want to win a World Series, but their four-decade championship drought has become a constant source of frustration for the city’s baseball fans. They tend to take it out on Pirates chairman Bob Nutting, whose franchise increased its win total by seven games last...
Pirates owner Bob Nutting says club is ‘positioned to take another meaningful step forward’
BRADENTON, Fla. — Pittsburgh Pirates chairman Bob Nutting defended the club’s payroll, called it “critical” for MLB owners to address the treatment of minor-league players and said he hopes to change the public perception of the club toward its fan base. Nutting met with reporters for a 48-minute interview Tuesday...
Kevin Gorman: Pirates put faith in Trevor Williams to throw first punchVideo
BRADENTON, Fla. — Trevor Williams could wear his second half of last season as a badge of honor, when the Pittsburgh Pirates right-hander ranked among the best pitchers in baseball. But Williams doesn’t find his identity in the game, even though he is thankful to count his blessings that he...
Pirates’ Clint Hurdle: Rookie Davis will be ‘in mix as a starting pitcher’Video
BRADENTON, Fla. — Pittsburgh Pirates manager Clint Hurdle said right-hander Rookie Davis, who signed a minor league contract Monday, “will be in the mix as a starting pitcher.” The 6-foot-5, 255-pound Davis, who was 1-3 with an 8.63 ERA in 2017 with the Cincinnati Reds, will create a four-way competition...
Pirates manager Clint Hurdle calls pitch clock a ‘fair allotment of time’Video
BRADENTON, Fla. — Pirates manager Clint Hurdle expressed no objection to MLB unilaterally employing a pitch clock in spring training games, a move made to get players accustomed to a possible rule change for this season. “I don’t feel it’s pushing any type of urgency on anybody to get anything...
Lonnie Chisenhall embraces opportunity to play right away for PiratesVideo
BRADENTON, Fla. — Lonnie Chisenhall was attracted to the Pittsburgh Pirates in free agency because they could offer a chance to start the season as an everyday player in right field. Chisenhall was willing to listen when the Pirates made the pitch that they needed to replace Gregory Polanco as...
Pablo Reyes sets sights on super-utility role for PiratesVideo
BRADENTON, Fla. – Pablo Reyes reveled in his role as a September sensation. Now, he wants to prove to the Pittsburgh Pirates than he’s more than a one-month wonder. Pirates manager Clint Hurdle will be the first to say that, sometimes, Septembers are hard to read when a team is...
