Results tagged ‘ josh rodriguez ’

Wood claimed from Angels; Rodriguez DFA; Ciriaco recalled

  • The Pirates claimed infielder Brandon Wood off waivers from the Los Angeles Angels on Friday. Wood was designated for assignment earlier this week after batting .143 in six games this season.

brandon wood.jpgThe 26-year-old was a first round pick (23rd overall) by the Angeles in the 2003 draft. Once a highly touted prospect, Wood was ranked the 3rd best prospect in baseball by Baseball America in 2006, 8th in 2007.

Since making his debut with the Angles in 2007, Wood has a .168 career average in the majors.

Wood hit .146 with 14 RBIs and four homers in 81 games last year. He is out of options and is arbitration eligible for the first time after the 2011 season.

Manager Clint Hurdle appeared on MLB Network radio this afternoon where he discussed Brandon Wood. He told Jim Bowden, that he will play the entire infield: some third base, shortstop, first base and second base.

  • In order to make room for Wood on the roster, infielder Josh Rodriguez was designated for assignment. The Pirates selected Rodriguez from the Indians in the rule-5 draft.

Rodriguez collected his first hit during Thursday night’s 9-5 loss to the Florida Marlins in Miami, Fla. It was the lone hit by Rodriguez in 12 at-bats.

If Rodriguez is not claimed off waivers or traded, the Pirates must offer him back for $25,000. The Bucs can also attempt to work out a trade with the Indians to place him in the minor league system.

Manager Clint Hurdle told Jenifer Langosch of MLB.com, “He’s a young man that we would like to keep in our organization. We knew going in that it would be a challenge and a big jump, but we wanted to take the opportunity to try and get the best feel we could for him. I think one of the best things that will come out of this experience for him is that now he’s gotten to see the Major League level.”

  • The Pirates also recalled infielder Pedro Ciriaco from Triple-A Indianapolis for the game on Friday. It’s assumed that Ciriaco will be with the Pirates until Wood joins the team.

There is no word as of yet on when Wood’s arrival time will be.

Bucs drop four straight, lose 4-1 to Brewers

The Pirates as a team to combined for just four hits and struck out 14 times against the Milwaukee Brewers pitching staff in the 4-1 loss at PNC Park on Thursday evening.

Manager Clint Hurdle told Karen Price of the Tribune Review, The number of strikeouts continues to be alarming, the inability to get leadoff hitters on. … We need to get everybody involved to some degree. We haven’t been able to connect the dots from the top to the bottom of the lineup.”

Andrew McCtuchen told Karen Price of the Tribune Review, We’re not hitting, that’s about it. There’s really no explanation for it, we’re just not getting it done.”

The Bucs did not score a run for 23 consecutive innings (going back to Sunday’s game against the Rockies) until McCutchen scored on a wild pitch by the Brewers closer, John Axford, in the bottom of the 9th.

Left-hander Paul Maholm threw a 28-pitch first inning. After allowing a lead off single to Rickie Weeks and a walk to Ryan Braun, Prince Fielder stepped to the plate with one out. Fielder, who prior to the game had a 0.71 average against Paul Maholm, hit a RBI single to give the Brewers a 1-0 lead.

Maholm walked a second batter in the inning before allowing a SAC fly by Yuniesky Betancourt.

The next six innings, however, Maholm was solid. He held the Brewers scoreless after the first and allowed just two more hits.

Brewers Manager Ron Roenicke told Jenifer Langosch of MLB.com, “Maholm settled down and pitched really well and changed speeds. He has pitched well for them, and really has had some bad luck.”

Maholm pitched allowed two runs on four hits with two walks and six strikeouts over seven innings (97 pitches). He picked up the loss –his second of the year– despite pitching a good outing.

Paul Maholm told Jenifer Langosh of MLB.com, “I think everybody is looking forward to going to Cincy to get back on the track we need to be on. The] first homestand, everybody is trying to do too much, probably.

“We expect to come in and compete every day. Is it fun this homestand? No. But I can guarantee you that [Friday] we’ll get to Cincy and we expect to win it. And that’s all you can do. Turn the page.”

The Buccos faced lefty Randy Wolf who struck out 10 over 6.2 innings. He held the Pirates to just two hits and walked two.

The Brewers tacked on two more insurance runs in the top of the 9th inning off of Joel Hanrahan. Casey McGhee lead off the inning with a double to right field. Bentancourt singled and McGhee scored on a throwing error by Neil Walker. Former Bucco Nyjer Morgan hit a RBI double to give the Brewers a 4-0 lead, but was thrown out trying to stretch his double into a triple.

The Pirates started a rally in the bottom of the 9th. McCutchen drew a walk and Steve Pearce singled in the inning. Ryan Doumit, who pinch hit for Chris Snyder, walked to load the bases. Josh Rodriguez, who has yet to have his first major league hit came to the plate with two outs. McCutchen scored on a wild pitch thrown by John Axford but Rodriguez struck out to end the game.

A total of 24 runs have been score by the Pirates in the last nine games, just an average of 2.66 runs per game.

The Pirates have lost four in a row. They finish the homestand 1-5 after going 4-2 on the road to start the season.

Tabata, Bullpen, victorious in 14 inning walk-off

After 14 innings and five hours and 11 minutes, the Pittsburgh Pirates delivered a walk-off win in the bottom of the 14th inning to win, 4-3, at PNC Park during the early hours of Saturday.

Josh Rodriguez drew a walk off of Franklin Morales and Jose Tabata hit a double off the Roberto Clemente wall to score the winning run.

Since the run came after midnight, the win came on the 10th birthday of PNC Park.

 


walk off.jpgJose Tabata told Jenifer Langosch of MLB.com, “I’m looking for one pitch. I’m thinking if he throws a fastball, I’ll [take] a good swing. When he threw the pitch, I swung the bat. I stayed with my approach, middle-away, and [you] see what happened.”

The Colorado Rockies took advantage of right-hander Ross Ohlendorf’s early struggles. After allowing a leadoff walk to Dexter Fowler and a single by Jonathan Herrera, Jason Giambi launched a three-home run into the right field seats. The Rockies quickly took a 3-0 lead.

That was the only run the Rockies would score through the 14 inning game.

Ohlendorf was pulled after 2.2 innings with right shoulder discomfort.

The Pirates bullpen, which consisted of Jeff Karstens, Mike Crotta, Jose Veras, Joel Hanrahan, Chris Resop and Garrett Olson, pitched 11.1 innings allowing six hits, no runs, seven walks and 12 strikeouts.

According to the Elias Sports Bureau, the 11.1 scoreless innings by the Bucs bullpen was the longest by the club in a game since 1900.

Manager Clint Hurdle told Colin Dunlap of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, “My goodness, Scoreless? That’s a good hitting team over there. Our guys stepped it up. Every single one of them. There will be a couple who won’t be able to go [Saturday].”

The Pirates tacked on a run each of the 4th, 5th, and 6th innings.

After back-to-back walks to Neil Walker and Andrew McCutchen by Jorge De La Rosa, Matt Diaz grounded to short in a 10 pitch at-bat, to score Walker and cut the lead, 3-1.

Jose Tabata hit his first home run of the season, as well as the first home run hit by a Bucco at PNC Park this year in the 5th inning.

Matt Belise walked both Lyle Overbay and Pedro Alvarez in the 6th, and Jason Jaramillo hit a RBI single to right field to tie the game at 3.

The Pirates showed their patience at the plate on Friday, after walking for a total of eight times.

The Rockies had plenty of chances during the late innings to score the go-ahead run. After Chris Resop allowed a lead-off double to Herrera, Carlos Gonzalez lined to shortstop. Troy Tulowitzki was intentionally walked and Jose Morales struck out for the second out. Seth Smith drew a walk to load the bases. Ty Wigginton hit a liner to third base but Pedro Alvarez made a spectacular play, diving for the ball and then threw from one knee to first baseman Lyle Overbay to end the inning.

The Pirates were out of bench players and only right-hander Evan Meek was left in the Pirates bullpen. It was reported that he was not available to pitch and even tried to convince the staff to let him warm up, if needed.

During the bottom of the 14th, and Josh Rodriguez on first base with two outs, Jose Tabata stepped up to the plate. Rockies Manager Jim Tracy received a lot of critism for not walking Tabata to get to Garrett Olson, who was on deck.

Although, it didn’t appear that way. Manager Clint Hurdle sent Andrew McCutchen to the on deck circle in hopes Tracy didn’t realize the batting order (There was a double switch in the 10th inning, so the pitcher was batting in the two hole).

It proved out to be the game winning play, as Jose Tabata hit a double off of the Roberto Clemente wall to score Josh Rodriguez and win in the 14th inning.

Colin Dunlap of the Post-Gazette asked Hurdle if it was a decoy to make Tracy think McCutchen was up next, “No, come on, why would we do that,” Hurdle said with a sly chuckle.

What was Manager Jim Tracy’s reasoning? “To walk him into scoring position … I know they have somebody over there that maybe takes a swing and not have to hit the ball very far at all to end up winning the game that way also,” he said.

An incredible ending for the Pirates on their first win at home this season.

Jeff Karstens, who pitched 3.1 innings after taking over after Ohlendorf was injured, told Jenifer Langosch of MLB.com, “I don’t even think words can describe what we did tonight. Just guy after guy came out; the situation didn’t matter, they just kept pitching. We were able to get out of it.”

Hurdle added, “My goodness. That’s a good hitting team over there. Our guys stepped it up tonight, every single one.”

Pre-game Notes: Pirates @ Cubs 4/2

The Pirates will face the Chicago Cubs at 1:05 PM/ET for the second game of a three game opening weekend series. Left-hander Paul Maholm will start for the Bucs against Right-hander Carlos Zambrano.

  • Maholm, who is the longest tenured pitcher on the staff, is considered to be a veteran in the clubhouse despite being just 28-years-old.

Maholm told Evan Drellich of MLB.com, “I’ve been around. I’ve been through everything. Most of the time, I’m just going to lead by example. You just try to show them how things should be done. … We have a bunch of young guys, and I feel like I fit in pretty good with them. It’s not like I’m ancient. It’s weird to know that me and [Ryan] Doumit have been around the longest. But I don’t think either one of us are old by any standard in baseball.”

Maholm went 3-1 with a 5.04 ERA against the Cubs last season and two of those wins came at Wrigley Field.

The Pirates were 10-5 against them last season and 5-4 in Chicago.

  • Third Baseman Pedro Alvarez described the scene in the dugout after Neil Walker’s grand slam in Friday’s 6-3 win over the Chicago Cubs on opening day as “hectic.”

Alvarez told Jenifer Langosch of MLB.com, “We’re a resilient bunch. We’re always going to play hard for nine. I think that’s the one message that we’re going to send across. That’s our type of baseball. Play hard for nine.”

  • Neil Walker is batting .472 with 11 RBI and 10 extra base hits in 10 career games against the Cubs.
  • Rookie Relief pitcher Mike Crotta made the team out of spring training and is soaking in his first major league opening day.

Crotta told Colin Dunlap of the Post Gazette his thoughts on opening day: “I just said to myself, ‘I made it, this is my dream.’ That isn’t something many people get to say or experience.”

Crotta is just one of eight players who experienced their first opening day in the big leagues. The others: Josh Rodriguez, Neil Walker, Pedro Alvarez, Jose Tabata, Steve Pearce, James McDonald and Garret Olson.

Pearce told Jenifer Langosch of MLB.com, “I have been fighting for this spot since ’08. Three years later, it’s going to mean the world to me. It’s everything I wanted.”

　

Pirates:

Jose Tabata (LF), Neil Walker (2B), Andrew McCutchen (CF), Lyle Overbay (1B), Pedro Alvarez (3B), Ryan Doumit (C), Garrett Jones (RF), Ronny Cedeno (SS), Paul Maholm (LHP)

Cubs:

Darwin Baker (2B), Starlin Castro (SS), Marlon Byrd (CF), Aramis Ramirez (3B), Geovany Soto (C ), Carlos Pena (1B) Alfonso Soriano (LF) Tyler Colvin (RF) Carlos Zambrano (RHP)

Ciriaco out; Rodriguez in

The Pirates announced after the 5-4 win to the Tampa Bay Rays that infielder Pedro Ciriaco has been optioned to Triple-A Indianapolis.

Rule 5 pick up Josh Rodriguez will make the 25-man roster and serve as the teams backup middle infielder.

rodriguezj.jpgJenifer Langosch of MLB.com reports that Ciriaco will bounce around in Triple-A as super utility guy, playing second base, shortstop, third base and center field.

This marks the fourth straight season the Pirates have kept a Rule 5 draft pick on the roster.

Langosch of MLB.com reports that there were several factors of why the Pirates chose to keep Rodriguez over Ciriaco. Cleveland has publicly stated that they would take Rodriguez back, if the Pirates did not decide to keep him on the 25-man roster. Ciriaco also has one option remaining.

Manager Clint Hurdle told Langosch of MLB.com, “We’ve got nothing to lose here. We need to try some things. We need to be creative and open-minded.”

Ciriaco batted .333 with four doubles, two RBI and three stolen bases in 26 games.

Rodriguez batted .303 with one home run, six RBI with one stolen base in 21 games.

Rodriguez told Jenifer Langosch of MLB.com, “It’s a big opportunity for me. I’ll play my role. I’ll come off the bench and basically do everything in my power to make the team better.”

*Photo credit: Derick Hingle

Bucs win final spring home game in walk-off fashion

The Pirates won their final game at McKechnie Field this season on Sunday in walk-off fashion against the Tampa Bay Rays, 5-4.

Rays’ Daniel Mayora’s throwing error in the bottom of the ninth allowed infielder Josh Rodriguez to score the game winning run.

Left-hander Paul Maholm started his final game of the spring against fellow Southpaw David Price.

Maholm allowed three runs on five hits with one walk and five strikeouts over five innings. Maholm has allowed just five walks this spring while striking out 18 over 25 innings.

Maholm told Jenifer Langosch of MLB.com, “I felt a lot more comfortable pitching in. I think as far as pitch counts go, I got to 96 [mph] last time, and I’d say I threw about 70-75 [mph] today. I feel good. I’m just ready go into the cold stuff and see what we can do.”

Kelly Shoppach homered off Maholm in the 2nd inning to the give the Tampa Bay Rays a 1-0 lead.

The Bucs tied the game at 1 in the bottom of the third when Andrew McCutchen grounded out to short, scoring second baseman Neil Walker.

Maholm gave up his second home run of the game in the 5th, a left field solo shot by Ben Zobrist. Reid Brignac singled to right field to tack on another run, giving the Rays a 3-1 lead.

Jose Tabata hit his first home run of the spring in the bottom of the 5th to the pull the Bucs within one run.

The Pirates took the lead in the 6th inning. Ryan Doumit hit a single scoring Matt Diaz and Pedro Alvarez.

Chris Leroux, who is fighting for one of the final spots in the bullpen, allowed the game tying run in the 9th, a solo home run to John Jaso.

Josh Rodriguez drew a walk and advanced to second on Jose Tabata’s fielders choice. Rodriguez came in to score the walk-off run after Mayora threw wide to first base.

 

Notes:

  • Joel Hanrahan pitched two perfect innings while striking out three. It marked the first time this spring that the Bucs closer pitched multiple innings.
  • The Pirates will face the Minnesota Twins on Monday for the final game of the spring. Right-hander Jeff Karstens will start for the Pirates against Left-hander Francisco Liriano.
  • Jenifer Langosch of MLB.com reports that the entire club will travel for the road game and fly into Philly afterwards. The Pirates face the Phillies for two exhibition games before the season kicks off in Chicago on April 1st.
  • Chris Snyder said he back is feeling better and expects to be the starting catcher for opening day.

Snyder told Rob Biertempfel of the Tribune, “I could play today if I had to. “I’ve been through way worse with my back in 2009.”

General Manager Neal Huntington told Biertempfel of the Tribune, If he’s not ready to catch back-to-back games, we’re either going to carry a third catcher as protection or we’re going to look at the (disabled list).

  • Biertempfel of the Tribune also reports that left-hander Joe Beimel threw 30 pitches off a mound on Sunday and was pain free. Biemel (elbow) is expect to be with the team sometime in April.

Pitching falters in Pirates 9-5 loss to Rays

Charlie Morton had his first bad outing of the spring in the Bucs 9-5 loss to the Tampa Bay Rays on Friday in Port Charlotte, Fla.

Morton allowed five runs on five hits with three walks and two strikeouts over five innings. His 1.29 ERA is no more, as it jumped to 3.32.

Morton told Rob Biertempfel of the tribune, “Walks and hit batters,” Morton said with a frown.

“What’s troubling about today is I kept missing with my sinker in and wasn’t making adjustments. I just couldn’t get a good feel for it. Instead of concentrating between the knees, trying to get it down there over the plate, I was trying to pick with it in, trying to get him to ground out to third.”

　

Pedro Ciriaco showed off his speed in the first, with a lead off single off of Jeff Neimann. He then quickly swiped second base. Ryan Doumit hit his fourth double of the spring to give the Pirates a 1-0 lead.

The Rays defense struggled in the 2nd. A bad throw by Dan Johnson advanced Matt Diaz to third base and then scored on a wild pitch by Neimann. Andy Marte doubled and was driven home by Charlie Morton, who hit a soft fly ball to left, putting the Bucs up 3-0.

Morton ran into trouble in the bottom of the 2nd. Morton hit Kelly Shoppach to load the bases with no outs. Sam Fuld drove in two with a double and Ben Zobrist hit a sac fly to tie the game at 3.

The Bucs battled back in the 4th, putting two runs on the board off of a single by Josh Rodriguez.

There was more trouble in the 5th for right-hander Charlie Morton as he had the bases loaded with no outs for the second time in the game. Morton escaped the inning with just two runs scoring –an Evan Longoria hit by pitch and a walk to Manny Ramirez — which tied the game at 5.

Joel Hanrahan allowed back-to-back walks and Justin Ruggiano took advantage of it by hitting a single to give the Rays a 7-5 edge.

The Rays tacked on two more runs off of Chris Resop in the 8th  for a 9-5 lead, and went on to win by that score.

　　

Notes:

  • Andy Marte, who is battling for a corner infield position, went 2-for-3 with two runs scored and a double.
  • The Pirates stole four bases today. They have 25 steals this spring –last year they had just 16. The San Diego Padres lead the leagues with 36.
  • Jenifer Langosch of MLB.com reports that James McDonald (left side) is scheduled to pitch in a Minor League game at Pirate City on Saturday. He will throw about 50 pitches in the outing.

Brad Lincoln (right arm contusion) is scheduled to throw a bullpen session on Saturday. Lincoln threw from 120 feet today and felt fine afterwards.

  • Biertempfel of the Trib reports, Right-hander Jose Ascanio threw 24 pitches in one inning of work today during a minor league game at Pirate City.
  • The Pirates will face the New York Yankees in Tampa, Fla., on Saturday at 1:05. The game will be broadcasted on FSN Pittsburgh. Kevin Correia will start for the Bucs.

Ohlendorf struggles, Walker has two homer night in 11-7 loss

Lyle Overbay and Neil Walker homered back-to-back off of Jake Arrieta in the 1st inning to take a 3-0 lead. But the Pirates pitching staff, lead by Ross Ohlendorf, combined to allow 11 runs on 15 hits in the 11-5 loss to the Baltimore Orioles in Sarasota, Fla., on Thursday evening.

Ohlendorf didn’t give the Pirates much opportunity to stay in the game as he was charged for six runs (five earned) on nine hits with two walks and four strikeouts over 4.2 innings. Four of those runs came from the long ball. Ohlendorf allowed three –Luke Scott, Mark Reynolds and Felix Pie– (He allowed just one homerun over his previous four starts).

Ohlendorf told Jenifer Langosch of MLB.com, “It is still not as good as I would like it to be, but I still thought it was better than last time. I’ve been up in the zone too much. I feel like I was better today, but still not as good as I need to be. The fourth inning I was really happy with. The third inning, I thought, went pretty well. But I still need to pitch better.”

Two runs scored during Evan Meek’s outing (1.1 innings) but neither were earned as one was charged to Ohlendorf and Pedro Alvarez made a throwing error.

Garrett Olson made his second appearance as a Bucco in the 7th, but it didn’t go as well his first. The Orioles tacked on three more runs on three hits giving Baltimore a 11-4 lead.

After a walk by Overbay and a single by Walker, Alvarez drove in one in the 8th inning.

Josh Rodriguez hit his first home run of the spring in the ninth inning making it 11-7.

　

Notes:

  • Walker had a big night at the plate while batting cleanup. He went 4-for-4 with two home runs, two RBI and two runs scored.
  • It was announced earlier today that Kevin Correia will be the Pirates opening day starter. He will face Ryan Dempster on April 1st in Chicago. Paul Maholm is slated to pitch the PNC Park home opener on April 7th. The rotation is as follows: Kevin Correia, Paul Maholm, Ross Ohlendorf, Charlie Morton, James McDonald.
  • James McDonald is scheduled to pitch in a minor league game on Saturday. Jenifer Langosch of MLB.com reports the Pirates are hoping for McDonald to extend his pitch count to 50 pitches. McDonald would then stay in Florida to pitch another minor league game on March 31st (about 80 pitches). If he suffers no set backs, McDonald would be ready to start on April 6th in St. Louis.
  • Joe Biemel (left elbow) threw a bullpen session today without any issue according to Greg Brown, Pirates Broadcaster.
  • With just one week until opening day, expect cuts to be happening very soon. 41 players (10 non-roster) still remain at big league camp.
  • Chris Snyder, who was in the lineup for the first time since March 9th (lower back soreness), caught for five innings today.
  • Chris Leroux was the only pitcher that did not allow a hit or run during his outing (one inning).
  • Charlie Morton will start Friday against the Rays in Port Charlotte (1:05 start) and is scheduled to throw six innings. Also scheduled to pitch: Joel Hanrahan (one inning), Jose Veras (one inning) and Daniel McCutchen (one inning).

Maholm solid, bats quiet in Bucs 4-1 loss

The Pirates combined for just one run and six hits in the 4-1 loss to the Minnesota Twins on Monday afternoon in Bradenton, Fla.

Jason Jaramillo, who is 11-for-21 this spring, hit a RBI double (scoring Matt Diaz) for the lone run of the game.

Manager Clint Hurdle told Jenifer Langosch of MLB.com, “He’s worked very hard. “It’s gotten better each time out. Handling the ball, receiving the balls, it’s cleaned up. He’s slowed the game down, which I think was the biggest thing early in the spring was that games were moving real quick for him behind the plate. He’s showed up very, very good. I think he’s in a confident place and he’s worked very, very hard.”

Left-hander Paul Maholm had a solid outing today. Over six innings, he allowed two runs on nine hits with two walks and five strikeouts.

Maholm has allowed just four walks this spring (20 innings), two of them coming today.

Maholm told Langosch of MLB.com, “Today I threw in a good bit. Everything was working. They hit a few changeups that were decent — they weren’t horrible, but they weren’t exactly where I wanted them. That’s part of it. It’s good to be able to battle and get through six innings and to throw close to 100 pitches.”

Hurdle told Langosch of MLB.com, “I thought he pitched well today. He was aggressive with his fastball. He threw some good changeups. Paul will give up some hits now and again, but he was aggressive. He was pitching to contact. It was a good outing.”

Joe Mauer hit an RBI single in the third inning to tie the game at one.

Delmon Young hit into a double play, scoring Denard Span in the fifth inning to give the Twins a 2-1 lead.

The scored stayed 2-1, until the 9th inning. Garrett Jones and Corey Wimberly called each other off on a routine fly ball, but the ball dropped due to the miscommunication putting runners on the corners. James Beresford hit a ground ball to second, scoring Jason Repko. After that, Pedro Ciriaco juggled the ball at short, which scored Mark Dolenc.

The Bucs lost 4-1 and dropped to 10-15 this spring.

　

　

Notes:

  • John Bowker had another good day. In his lone at-bat he hit a double (he is 10-for-31 this spring) and also made a nice catch in the 9th, taking a home run away from Steve Holm.
  • Garrett Olson made his Pirates debut, pitching a 1-2-3 inning. Olson told Biertempfel of the Tribune, “When I found out I was on waivers, I didn’t know what to expect,” Olson said. “I’m very excited to get over here and get it going. I’m looking forward to this opportunity, and I want to make the best of it.”

Hurdle told Langosch of MLB.com, “You only get one chance to make a first impression. Low strikes, a few changeups, good downhill plane. We’ll get him back out there as quick as we can.”

  • Hall-of-Famer Bert Blyleven threw out the first pitch to Kent Tekeulve prior to the game.
  • Rob Biertempfel of the Tribune reports that after the Bucs 4-1 loss to the Twins, Pedro Alvarez, Josh Fields and Josh Rodriguez took additional batting practice for over an hour . Manager Clint Hurdle threw the BP, hitting coach Gregg Ritchie and several other coaches were on the field to observe and critique.
  • Biertempfel also reported that Fields had a closed door meeting with Hurdle prior to the game today. Fields, 28, is batting just .178 this spring.
  • Steve Berthiamume on Sunday’s episode of Baseball Tonight discussed the “Sunday Heroes” and Charlie Morton’s name came up. He went on to say, “Tim Kurkjian reported [Morton] has developed a Roy Halladay type sinker. He’s having a great spring for the Pittsburgh Pirates.”
  • The Pirates will have their final “off day” of the spring on Tuesday. Not everyone, technically, will be off. Langosch reported that:

Jose Ascanio will throw two innings (35 pitches) of live batting practice to hitters tomorrow at Pirate City.

There will also be a “B” game. Daniel McCutchen, Sean Gallagher and Jeff Karstens (four inning) are expected to throw.

  • The Bucs will face the Houston Astros at McKechnie Field on Wednesday. Ross Ohlendorf, who was originally scheduled to start, has been moved back to Thursday. Left-hander Brian Burres will start against the Astros instead.

Day 33 of Pirates spring training: news and notes

The Pirates will face the Philadelphia Phillies at 1:05 today in Clearwater, Fla. Brad Lincoln will start and is scheduled to throw four innings against Roy Oswalt.

You can listen to the game on a free webcast on MLB.com, The Pirates radio network (104.7) or 970 ESPN in Pittsburgh.

  • Lefty Scott Olsen has not made a great impression so far this spring. After being sidelined for several weeks (left hamstring strain), he has made just two starts –and they were not pretty. Through 2.1 innings, Olsen has allowed four runs (two homers) on five hits with three walks. Opponents are batting .417 against him.

With just two weeks until opening day, what is Olsen focused on?

Scott Olsen told Jenifer Langosch of MLB.com, “There are no goals; it’s all about health. That is the goal. I can’t have any goals unless I’m healthy. After two frustrating years in a row, that’s all I want.”

  • Pedro Ciriaco, who’s natural position is at shortstop, started at center field on Thursday. Other than batting practice, Ciriaco didn’t have much time to even prep for it. He even had to use Outfielder Gorkys Hernandez glove.

Ciriaco is competing for a utility job and proving that he could play in Center in a pinch, could really help him land a job with the club.

Pedro Ciriaco told Jenifer Langosch of MLB.com, “I feel pretty good. It was fun. You’ve got to adjust to whatever position you play. In the infield, everything is quicker. In the outfield, I think you’ve got a little bit more time to read the ball. I got one fly ball and one line drive, so it was easy today.”

  • Charlie from BucsDugout chatted with Farm Director Kyle Stark while in Bradenton, Fla. For spring training. You can read part one of the interview here.
  • Ryan Doumit will be starting today against the Phillies. Doumit (oblique strain) has not played in a spring training game since March 8th. He did go 3-for-4 with a double and a home run during a minor league game on Thursday at Pirate City.
  • According to Pat Gallen of Phillies nation, former Bucco Brandon Moss has been cut from big league camp. Moss, who signed a minor league deal with the Phillies this offseason, batted just .167 (3-for-18) with seven strikeouts.

　

Pirates

Lineup: Wimberly CF, Bowker LF, Pearce RF, Doumit C, Atkins 3B, Marte 1B, Rodriguez 2B, Ciriaco SS, Lincoln RHP

Pitchers: Lincoln, Resop, Veras, Crotta, Leroux

*As Rob Biertempfel of the Trib pointed out, perhaps a last chance for these players to show Hurdle what they got? Another round of cuts should be happening soon. Doumit is the only “regular” in the lineup and Biertempfel even calls it a “trade showcase”

Phillies

Lineup: Rollins SS, Victorino CF, Ibanez LF, Howard 1B, Gload RF, Orr 3B, Ruiz C, Martinez 2B, Oswalt RHP

Pitchers: Oswalt, Baez, Romero, Contreras, Madson

 

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