Pirates notebook: GM Ben Cherington says team 'planning and preparing' to play in St. Louis

The Pittsburgh Pirates’ trip to St. Louis is in serious jeopardy after MLB postponed the Cardinals’ weekend series against the Chicago Cubs because of a covid-19 outbreak throughout the club.

Pirates general manager Ben Cherington said Saturday afternoon the team is “expecting and planning and preparing as if we’re going to play, until told otherwise” while awaiting an update from the league office.

“I don’t know what really our future looks like at this point,” Cardinals general manger John Mozeliak said, according to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. “I know that we’ve lost these three games, and we’ll certainly take this day by day. For all the optimism we had a couple of days ago, to be where we are today it’s definitely frustrating for everybody involved. Now, we’re just going to have to take it one day at a time, and hopefully we get through this, we get back to playing baseball soon.”

Sixteen Cardinals players and staff members have tested positive for coronavirus, forcing MLB to step in and pause their season. In the event a postponement, Cherington said the Pirates “would just pivot to whatever appropriate workout made sense for us” but will follow MLB recommendations.

“I would certainly expect and want to have more information before we get on the plane, for sure,” Cherington said. “I expect we will have more information, and the league has been really good about sharing every bit of information that they can relative to health and safety. So I would not think we would get on the plane without more information. If we do, it’ll be because we’re confident we can go there and follow the protocols for sure and be safe in doing so and get into our hotel and play major league baseball games. But we need some more information.”

Making moves

The Pirates selected right-handed pitcher Nick Mears from their satellite camp in Altoona and optioned left-hander Miguel Del Pozo, who allowed three runs on five hits in two innings Friday night.

Mears, 23, started last season in Single-A Greensboro and finished in Double-A Altoona, compiling a 5-3 record with a 3.28 ERA in 46 2/3 innings over 34 appearances at three minor league levels. He had 69 strikeouts and allowed 31 hits.

Mears made his major-league debut in Saturday’s 11-5 loss to the Detroit Tigers, allowing one run on one hit with three walks and two strikeouts in the sixth inning.

Del Pozo had a 17.18 ERA in five games for the Pirates this season, allowing seven runs on seven hits and eight walks in 3 2/3 innings.

Staying as starter

Cherington said he was “really encouraged” by JT Brubaker’s first major league start. The right-hander allowed three runs on four hits and two walks with two strikeouts in three innings in a 6-5 win over the Minnesota Twins.

Brubaker, the Pirates’ 2018 minor league pitcher of the year, is expected to remain in the rotation while Mitch Keller (left oblique strain) is out.

“He’s somebody who’s thought highly of by the Pirates long before I was here, missed some time last year and worked hard to come back in good physical condition,” Cherington said of Brubaker. “He’s got a fastball with good life, a good slider, a changeup. He’s maturing and looks confident on the mound. He’s definitely a guy that we will look to keep running out there and give an opportunity.”

Close to coming back

Cherington said Keone Kela “looked good” in throwing a live batting practice early Saturday afternoon at PNC Park and “felt good coming off the mound,” a sign the Pirates closer could soon be ready to return after testing positive for covid-19.

Kela is expected to meet Sunday with pitching coach Oscar Marin and bullpen coach Justin Meccage to map out a pitching plan.

“Would want to leave it to them to decide what additional work he would need,” Cherington said. “Would expect that he’s getting closer for sure, but no determination on that yet.”

Help on the way

The bullpen could soon have the services of right-handed reliever Tyler Bashlor, who was acquired in a trade with the New York Mets last Sunday. Cherington said Bashlor has “looked good” in his bullpen sessions and is “going to get into a game situation here soon.”

Bashlor, 27, was 0-3 with a 6.95 ERA in 22 innings last season for the Mets, allowing six home runs and 17 walks with 20 strikeouts in 24 games.