Pirates would hold spring training at PNC Park, GM Ben Cherington confirms

Pittsburgh Pirates general manager Ben Cherington confirmed Wednesday that an abridged spring training to prepare for an MLB season this summer would be held at PNC Park.

“If it happens, and assuming it happens, it would take place in Pittsburgh,” Cherington said on a conference call, adding that the club continues to look for a training base for a potential taxi squad. “But I would expect the major-league group would be training in Pittsburgh, if and when we get to that point.”

The Pirates also considered returning to their spring training homes in Florida — Pirate City and LECOM Park in Bradenton — but believe that PNC Park can accommodate their needs.

Cherington said the Pirates prioritized maximizing their proximity to medical partners at Allegheny Health Network while minimizing the amount of travel. They also took into consideration that many players either own or lease homes in Pittsburgh and would have to find places to rent in Bradenton.

The Pirates, however, will have to be creative about how to use PNC Park, although Cherington said the club intends to use both clubhouses as well as the concourse areas.

“It will be different, of course,” Cherington said. “Really, comparing PNC to Bradenton, let’s say, there’s gonna be pros and cons to both if you think about a training environment. But we felt that as we considered all the factors, we felt like Pittsburgh made the most sense, assuming we get to that point.”

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