Blogs

You’re angry about the Jason Bay trade, aren’t you? Or, do you think it will ultimately help turn around the franchise? Stunned? Surprised? Elated? Honked-the-freak-off?
My e-mail inbox is buzzing, and the trade’s only a few hours old. Time to vent, folks. Let me hear it …
Can’t wait to see how many [...]

Jason Bay almost stayed with the Pirates.
In the final minutes before Thursday’s 4 p.m. non-waiver trading deadline, the Pirates sent their standout left fielder to the Boston Red Sox as part of a blockbuster, three-team deal.
As part of the deal, tempermental outfielder Manny Ramirez goes to the Los Angeles Dodgers.
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The Pirates will hold a press conference late this afternoon, probably around 4:30 p.m., to discuss what — if anything — they did at the non-waiver trade deadline. The deadline is 4 p.m.
The news, of course, will center on whether Jason Bay is dealt. Published reports have included him in scenarios involving the [...]

Here are the starting lineups for the Rockies-Pirates game at 7:05 tonight at PNC Park. Jason Michaels is starting in right field, and Luis Rivas, one night after going 3 for 4 with three RBI, gets another start at second base. Zach Duke (4-8), winless in his past eight starts, goes against all-star right-hander Aaron [...]

The Pirates are missing two of their hottest hitters again tonight, with Adam LaRoche on the 15-day disabled list (ribcage) and second baseman Freddy Sanchez out with back spasms. Doug Mientkiewicz will make his second consecutive start at first base in place of LaRoche, who is one of the hottest hitters in the NL in [...]

The Pirates have placed first baseman Adam LaRoche on the 15-day disabled list with a right strain of his ribcage muscle. Infielder Brian Bixler was recalled from Triple A-Indianapolis to take LaRoche’s place on the 25-man roster. Doug Mientkiewicz will make his second consecutive start at first base in place of LaRoche, who is one [...]

Neither Adam LaRoche (strained ribcage muscle) nor Freddy Sanchez (lower back spasms) will be in the lineup tonight against Colorado.
LaRoche and Sanchez left the game early Sunday against San Diego. Sanchez said his back has been iffy for the past few days, and began acted up during pregame warmups. LaRoche was injured while [...]

A handful of veteran players — Doug Mientkiewicz, Jason Michaels and others — had one-on-one meetings this morning with general manager Neal Huntington.
“It was out of respect to our veterans,” Huntington said. “We wanted to gather some of their thoughts and expectations moving forward. We believe in communicating with players, and making sure [...]

Right-hander Jeff Karstens, who was acquired in the Xavier Nady trade, will join the Pirates on Monday. That will give the Pirates a full, 25-man roster.
Karstens will move into the starting rotation, replacing John Van Benschoten — whose days as a starter are over. Van Benschoten was sent to Triple-A Indianapolis, where he [...]

Another new face for the starting rotation.
Right-hander Jason Davis was called up today from Triple-A Indianapolis and will replace John Van Benschoten, who was optioned back to Indy. To clear space on the 40-man roster for Davis, righty Luis Munoz was designated for assignment.
In 21 games (20 starts) for Indy, Davis, [...]