Amid reports of trade speculation, Bryan Reynolds homers as Pirates rally to tie Orioles

On a day that started with Bryan Reynolds being the subject of trade speculation, he provided a no-doubter.

Reynolds drilled a Tyler Wells fastball 349 feet over the right-center field fence for his second home run of spring training for the Pittsburgh Pirates, who tied the Baltimore Orioles, 4-4, on Thursday afternoon in a Grapefruit League game at LECOM Park in Bradenton, Fla.

No doubter. pic.twitter.com/xaVvtlTIEo

— Pittsburgh Pirates (@Pirates) March 31, 2022

Rumors swirled around Reynolds after USA Today’s Bob Nightengale tweeted that the San Diego Padres had “engaged in trade talks” with the Pirates regarding the All-Star center fielder.

The San Diego #Padres have engaged in trade talks this spring with the Pittsburgh #Pirates in an attempt to acquire All-Star outfielder Bryan Reynolds. The Padres have pitching depth, and young pitchers Chris Paddack and Ryan Weathers have been mentioned in discussions.

— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) March 31, 2022

Reynolds is headed to an arbitration hearing after he couldn’t agree to terms with the Pirates, who countered his $4.9 million request with an offer of $4.25 million. Reynolds said a long-term contract extension was never discussed this spring, though he told the Tribune-Review that he’s open to staying.

“I want to win here,” Reynolds said. “I know that it can be done. We’ve done it before. I definitely want to be part of that.”

Trade talk is nothing new to Reynolds, as the Pirates spent the offseason before the lockout listening to offers without making a move. The Miami Herald reported the Pirates asked for a package headlined by a pair former first-round picks, shortstop Khalil Watson (2021) and right-handed pitcher Max Meyer (2020), who are both ranked among baseball’s top 35 prospects by MLB Pipeline.

The Pirates got a strong start by a pitcher acquired from the Marlins as part of the three-player package returned in the trade of NL Gold Glove catcher Jacob Stallings last fall. Right-hander Zach Thompson had four strikeouts and allowed three hits and one walk in four scoreless innings in his quest to earn a spot in the starting rotation. In three appearances this spring,Thompson has allowed three runs on seven hits and three walks while striking out nine and holding opponents to a .212 batting average.

Right-handed reliever Adonis Medina, who was claimed off waivers from the Philadelphia Phillies on March 16, had a disastrous debut for the Pirates, giving up five hits and a walk in a four-run sixth inning. Medina gave up back-to-back, one-out doubles to Cedric Mullins and Ramon Urias, whose line drive went off the glove of third baseman Hunter Owen and into left field. Anthony Santander followed with a two-RBI single down the right-field line to give the Orioles a 2-1 lead. Cody Roberts doubled to the left-field corner, and Tyler Nevin drew a walk to load the bases. After Medina struck out Robinson Chirinos, he lost a Chris Owings pop-up in the wind and it dropped to score two more runs as the Orioles increased their lead to 4-1.

Denny Roman replaced Medina and struck out Kelvin Gutierrez for the third out.

Pirates second baseman Diego Castillo cut it to 4-2 in the sixth with a solo home run, his team-best fourth of spring training. The Pirates tied it at 4-4 in the eighth when Nick Gonzales scored Jack Suwinski with a line drive double to right field and Jared Triolo’s sacrifice fly to right scored Michael Chavis.

Jose Quintana is scheduled to start against fellow lefty Yusei Kikuchi when the Pirates play the Toronto Blue Jays at 1:05 p.m. Friday at LECOM Park.