Pirates notebook: Kevin Newman takes a 1st step in right direction with error-free play at SS

When it comes to playing defense this season, it is no accident Kevin Newman looks like a new man.

The Pittsburgh Pirates shortstop is the only major league player at his position without an error this season, a 40-game streak that is more impressive when considering 2020 NL Gold Glove winner Javier Baez has 10 errors, and all but two others have at least three.

Newman said earlier this month he spent the offseason working on hand drills and agility drills, which he continues to do in pre-game activities and during batting practice.

“Got into a good little routine,” Newman said, “so just looking to keep that going.”

Newman’s defense was an issue last season, when he committed eight errors — five in 23 games at shortstop and three in 20 games at second base — and ultimately lost his starting job to Erik Gonzalez.

Pirates manager Derek Shelton credits Newman for spending the offseason working on his first step and being aggressive. Shelton said third base coach Joey Cora “spent a ton of time” in spring training working with the infielders, with an emphasis on working to watch signs and pre-pitch movements.

“When you move your feet at either one of the two infield positions, you are less apt to make errors,” Shelton said. “Your first step and how you move your feet prevents a lot of errors, and I think he’s really cleaned up a lot of things in this area. …

“I think he’s more comfortable going to his backhand, more comfortable going glove side because his feet are in a better position to field the baseball. And it’s made his arm stronger because if your feet are in the right spot, you’re able to make throws, whether you’re on the move or you’re set up. I really feel that the fact that the work he’s done with his feet has enhanced the whole part of it.”

Next, the Pirates need to work on Newman’s bat. After hitting .603 in Grapefruit League play this spring, he is batting .209 with three doubles, a triple, a homer and nine RBIs.

The Pirates gave Newman a rest Tuesday, starting Cole Tucker at shortstop against the Chicago Cubs.

Pitching carousel

The Pirates recalled right-hander Cody Ponce from Triple-A Indianapolis to make his first start of the season Tuesday night against the Chicago Cubs.

Ponce replaces veteran Trevor Cahill, who was placed on the 10-day injured list Saturday with a left calf strain. To make room on the active roster, the Pirates optioned righty reliever Kyle Keller to Indianapolis.

Ponce made his major league debut against the Cubs last Aug. 2 at Wrigley Field, allowing a Baez walk-off single in the 11th inning of a 2-1 loss. Ponce had a 2.63 ERA in 13 2/3 innings over three starts, earning his first major league victory in a 2-0 win over the St. Louis Cardinals in the second game of a doubleheader at Busch Stadium.

“I think the potential is there, and we’ve seen it in starts in the big leagues where he’s thrown really well,” Shelton said. “The message is very consistent with what made him successful: attack. Stay in attack mode. Go after people. I think we saw him do that in a couple starts he had last year. There was no fear. He went right after guys in the zone. That’s continuing to be the message, regardless if he’s pitching here or Indy or wherever he’s pitching.”

Taking turns

That the Pirates picked Ponce over righty Miguel Yajure might raise eyebrows, given the way Yajure pitched in his first start for the Pirates and how Ponce had fared in Indianapolis.

Yajure allowed one hit and one walk with four strikeouts in five scoreless innings in a 3-2 win over the San Francisco Giants on May 14 at PNC Park. Ponce had a 5.40 ERA in three starts in Indianapolis and gave up two earned runs in four innings against St. Paul last Wednesday.

Shelton shrugged it off as part of a plan devised by general manager Ben Cherington to work some of the top pitching prospects into the rotation in spot starts this season.

“We’re going to start to try to find ways to integrate into our rotation and provide opportunities,” Shelton said, “and we felt (Tuesday) was a good opportunity to integrate Cody in there.”