Results tagged ‘ jose ascanio ’
Day 9 of Pirates spring training: news and notes
- The Tampa Bay Rays Manager Joe Madden announced that David Price will start on the home opener against the Pirates on Saturday. Manager Clint Hurdle has not announced who will start for the Bucs yet.
- MLB Network will be airing three spring training games.
Sun March 6 Blue Jays vs. Pirates
Thursday March 10 Orioles vs. Pirates
Mon March 28 Pirates vs. Twins
- Pedro Alvarez, who missed Monday’s workouts due to necks spasms, was at workouts on Tuesday. He took swings and participated in defensive drills.
- The Pirates will use seven pitchers for one inning a piece in during the game on Saturday against State College of Florida. They are as followed: Aaron Thompson, Tyler Yates, Jeff Locke, Mike Crotta, Justin Wilson, Kyle McPherson and Rudy Owens.
The workouts ran 15 minutes longer than usual, according to Rob Biertmepfel of the Trib.
“The only way to increase stamina is to work when you’re a little bit fatigued,” Hurdle said. “That’s how marathon runners work. You’ve got to run to a distance you haven’t run before. One of the separators at the major league level during a game is finding a way to be comfortable with being uncomfortable. It’s something you spend a lot of time with in a game. How many times in a game do you go to the plate where you’re locked in, the ball’s big and your swing’s right? We need to push them. Where we want to go is going to take work. It’s not going to take putting a couple hours in and going through a traditional routine.”
- The position players worked on hit and runs on Tuesday, while the catchers took practice blocking balls in the dirt.
- Pitchers and position players worked on signs and stolen base attempts.
- The players continued to work on base running drills at Camp Hurdle –a huge focus this year. Hurdle also emphasized runners going from first to third base on singles.
“Our goal is to be the best in the National League at this,” coach Nick Leyva said.
- Tyler Yates will throw a supervised side session to pitching coach Ray Searage on Wednesday. Yates did not throw live batting practice to the players this week.
“I want to work on him again and make sure that he feels comfortable mechanically,” Searage said. “This is my call. He’s ready to go. He would probably get something out of the BP, but I think I can get more out of working with him on the sideline.”
- Jose Ascanio is sidelined with a tight right elbow. The discomfort came a day after throwing his bullpen session on Monday. His status is day-to-day.
Matt Diaz swinging in the cage. Chris Snyder watches on beautiful day in Bradenton, Fl. (photos via @Colin_Dunlap)
Pedro Alvarez, along with other Pirates players practicing drills.
Day five of Pirates spring training: news and notes
- All 62 players (both 40-man and non-roster invites) have arrived Pirate city for workouts.
- Tom Krasovic of Fanhouse.com reported that the Pirates (along with the Mariners, Diamondbacks and Padres) were scouting UCLA’s Hoss Cole on Friday.
- Ronny Cedeno, who arrived at camp on Friday, was spotted wearing the No. 5 since now Manager Clint Hurdle is No. 13.
“Last year was tough for me,” Cedeno said. “This year is going to be different for me because I’ve got a different mentality. I want to prove something. I’ll come every day and work hard and work on what I need this year.”
“I’m happy to be here right now,” Cedeno said. “I’ve been working hard this winter.”
- Many of the Pirates pitchers were called in for early work this morning, Jenifer Langosch reports.They broke up into groups to focus on a number of specific things — delivery, side steps, pick off moves and bunt plays. This all happened before the 10 am workout.
- Jose Ascanio finally reported to Pirates city for his first day of workouts, including his first side session, on Friday. He was held up due to issue’s with his visa.
- The first group of pitchers will throw live batting practice to the hitters on Saturday. The second group will throw on Sunday.
- First baseman Steve Pearce worked with the outfielders on Friday. The Pirates plan to give him work at both positions this year.
Day three of Pirates spring training: news and notes
- Manager Clint Hurdle is in no rush to name the Pirates opening day starter. The four starters who are secured in the rotation are: James McDonald, Paul Maholm, Kevin Correia and Ross Ohlendorf (in no particular order).
“We’ve got some candidates,” Hurdle said. “I don’t think anyone is out of it. Experience will come in as a factor. We have a few guys who could be worthy of it. You want a guy who doesn’t get caught up in throwing against the other team’s No. 1. There are a few elements we’re looking for.”
- Jose Ascanio is still having issues with his visa. He may report to Pirate city at the earliest as Thursday.
- Andrew McCutchen worked with coach Luis Silverio for a good amount of time on Wednesday working on base stealing. Manager Clint Hurdle has said he wants the Pirates to be aggressive on the bases this year.
- The following pitchers threw their second side session on Wednesday, about 40-45 pitches each: Paul Maholm, Kevin Correia, Joel Hanrahan, Jose Veras, Joe Beimel, Aaron Thompson, Justin Wilson, Ross Ohlendorf, James McDonald, Evan Meek, Scott Olsen, Kyle McPherson, Rudy Owens, Michael Crotta and Jeff Locke.
- The Pirates will wear patches on their jersey’s this year in remembrance of Chuck Tanner. The design is still undecided.
Athletic Trainer Brad Henderson and Ray Searage watch Ross Ohlendorf and James McDonald in the pen (photo via @BucsInsider).
Pirates ‘pen coming together
The Pirates made several announcements on Wednesday, leaving just a few spots open in the ‘pen during the final six weeks until opening day.
Manager Clint Hurdle named Joel Hanrahan the Bucs closer and Evan Meek as the eighth-inning set up man.
He also announced that Joe Beimel will become the Pirates lefty specialist for the 2011 season. Beimel signed a minor league contract with a non-roster spring training invite. The Pirates will need to remove someone from the 40-man roster in order to make room for the southpaw.
“We didn’t go get him to try him out,” Hurdle said. “We wanted to have a left-handed option that can bridge innings for us toward the back end of the game. He’s going to play a significant role as well.”
The leaves four spots open in the bullpen.
After great success with the Pirates in 2010 (in 19 innings, 22 appearances, Resop posted a 1.89 ERA with 24 strikeouts), Chris Resop will most likely land a job.
Jose Veras seems like another favorite in the ‘pen. In five seasons and 176 appearances, Veras has a career 4.24 ERA (3.75 ERA in 2010 with the Cleveland Indians).
“He was a good get for us,” Hurdle said of Veras, who signed a Minor League deal with the team in January. “[General manager] Neal [Huntington] was very aggressive to go get Veras. He’s got a big arm.”
The Pirates have many options for the remaining spots. Jeff Karstens and Brian Burres could fill in as the long reliever. Whoever doesn’t win the fifth spot in the rotation, Charlie Morton or Scott Olsen, could also fill that role.
Some other options include: Tyler Yates, Kevin Hart, Chris Leroux, Justin Thomas, Sean Gallagher, Jose Ascanio, and Fernanado Nieve.
“I want these guys to have a clean shot,” Hurdle said. “It’s not always about the results in Spring Training, but it’s about the quality of the stuff. I think we’ve got enough educated eyes around here to get a better read on that, rather than just the numbers as they play out.”
Spring training officialy kicks off: 2/14
- Monday marks the first day of spring training. At Noon ET, the Pirates pitchers and catchers will have their first official workout.
- Pitchers and catchers will undergo physical exams on Monday prior to the first workout.
- Although position players don’t officially start until Saturday, 49 of the 62 are already in camp.
“We were getting rumblings that a bunch of them were going to show up and they did,” manager Clint Hurdle said. “It’s another sign of them taking accountability and responsibility for what’s in front of us.”
- Jose Ascanio is experiencing visa problems leaving Venezuela.He is expected to arrive by Tuesday or Wednesday. There will be 40 of the 41 pitchers and catchers in camp Monday.
- Ross Ohlendorf was one of the 20 pitchers that had a formal workout on Sunday. Ohlendorf is looking to bounce back after a injury plagued season in which he went 1-11.
“I know I can pitch better than I did last season, and I’m excited to show I can pitch better,” Ohlendorf said. He also was impressed with what he had seen of new manager Clint Hurdle, after working with him at mini-camps this winter. “He has a lot of energy, and positive energy, which makes it easy to believe in ourselves,” he said.
- Rob Biertempfel of the Pittsburgh Tribune reports that Tyler Yates, who had Tommy John Surgery, is fully recovered and is expected to go through the same throwing program as everyone else at camp.
- Ryan Doumit is aware of the Pirates trying to trade him.
“I’m trying not to think about that because I don’t really care,” Doumit said. “No matter where they put me, I want to be the best I can be. I’m going to go out there and just try to play like I’m capable of playing, and let that speak for itself
- General Manager Neal Huntington indicated a decision is near on whether Joel Hanrahan or Evan Meek will be the closer for the 2011 season. In fact, it may have been made.
“We’ve got to sit down with the people involved and let them know,” Huntington said. “As soon as we do that, we’ll let you guys know. It won’t be something that goes through spring training.”
- Several of the Pirates players tweeted after day one of spring training:
Paul Maholm (@Maholm38): Great first day of spring. Threw a bullpen, fielded a few grounders, bunted, and some sprints. Now can we start games soon.
Tony Sanchez (@TSanchez26): First day of 2011 in the books. The first and last day of feeling 100%.
Joel Harahan (@Hanrahan4457): Day 1 was a success, can we skip to a few games then opening day please?
Daniel McCutchen (@DanielMcCutchen): Good to back at it, day one is in the books.
- Injury updates according to Rob Biertempfel of the Pittsburgh-Tribune:
Donnie Veal (elbow surgery) won’t be on the fields much this spring.
Kevin Hart (shoulder surgery) is in “no-throw” mode for a while, but Huntington said he still has to chance to be game-ready by the end of spring training.
Tyler Yates (elbow surgery) will compete for a big league bullpen job.
The Buccos take the field on the first day of spring training 2011 (Picture via @BucsInsider)
Maholm, hanny, veras, correia throw first bullpen of camp (Picture via @RobBiertempfel)
Clint Hurdle watches as Andrew McCutchen takes some swings (Picture via @BucsInsider)
** I will be heading down to Bradenton, FL. in exactly two weeks for spring training. So be sure to keep checking back for coverage.
News and notes: 2/13
Happy Pitchers and Catchers report day!
“For me, this is an exciting time,” Clint Hurdle said. “I’m looking forward to being a part of something significant and special here.”
- 41 pitchers and catchers, 15 are non-roster invitees, reported to Bradenton, FL. Jose Veras, Jose Ascanio and Cesar Valdez were having VISA issues and are expected to be at camp by Monday morning.
- Spring Training’s first official workout is scheduled to begin at noon ET and the first full-squad workout will be held on Saturday.
- There are 62 players attending spring training this year (Click here for the full list).
- *Note: Jeff Clement has been removed from the list of non-roster invitees. He is still recovering from surgery and therefore will be reporting to Minor League camp.
- Pirates beat reporter, Jenifer Langosch, reports that spring training will be much different this year, compared to years past.
Hurdle has promised changes to the Spring Training routine, so the workout days should look different than they did when John Russell was in charge. Hurdle specifically noted that there would be an increased focus on shoring up fundamentals and honing pitchers’ pickoff moves.
“We’re going to talk about playing better baseball,” general manager Neal Huntington said. “We’re going to talk about taking care of business every single day. We’re going to talk about making sure that we’re prepared. We’re going to talk about making sure we’re in position to win that next game. If we do that every day, if we do that every series, if we do that every week, if we do that every month, we’re going to look up at the end and we’re going to have had a great year.”
Some of the pitchers get an early start to camp with a light workout at Pirate City (picture via @BucsInsider)
Bucco news and notes: 1/15
- Ross Ohlendorf and Joel Hanrahan filed for salary arbitration on Friday. They are the only two Pirates to file, just 119 players in major league baseball.
- Garrett Jones arrived at mini camp on Thursday (he was late due to a family wedding in Mexico) noticeably thinner and “a little bit faster, too.” Jones weighed 255 last season and is said to have dropped 10 pounds. This offseason Jones has been diligently working with a speed enhancement and velocity trainer.
- Pirates beat reporter Jenifer Langosch addressed the possible future of five players as spring training approaches us.
Jose Ascanio missed the entire 2010 season due to an injury but has pitched well during the Venezuelan Winter League. Most likely, his role in 2011 will be as a reliever.
Kevin Hart missed the entire 2010 season as well, he underwent labrum surgery after a disastrous spring training. Hart is currently healthy and threw during Pirates mini camp. His role in 2011 would most likely be as a reliever, until he can prove himself as a starter.
Charlie Morton had a horrible first two months of the season, picking up nine losses and then was optioned to Triple-A Indy. He pitched much better toward the end of the season but the Pirates are still unsure whether he is mentally tough enough. Morton will be competing for the fifth spot in the rotation during spring training.
Chris Resop is one of the leading candidates in the Pirates ‘pen. After being claimed off waivers in August, he allowed four earned runs and struck out 24 in 19 innings.
John Bowker will be competing for a spot as an extra outfielder along with Alex Presley, Steve Pearce, Cory Wimberly and Ryan Doumit (Garrett Jones and Matt Diaz will split the majority of the playing time in right field this season). Bowker was acquired in July by the San Franscio Giants and batted hit .232 in 26 games with the Pirates.
Pirates make roster moves
The Pirates made several roster moves on Wednesday.
- Wil Ledezma signed a one-year deal with the Bucs, avoiding arbitration.
- The Pirates’ outrighted Sean Gallagher, Brandon Moss and Justin Thomas to Triple-A Indy and were removed from the 40-man roster.
- Ross Ohlendorf, Jose Ascanio and Steve Pearce were taken off the 60-day Disabled list and added to the 40-man roster.
- Jeff Clement was removed from the 60-day Disabled list and outrighted to Triple-A Indy.
- Chan Ho Park was removed from the 40-man roster and is a free agent.
Kristy Robinson
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