Blogs

Second baseman Freddy Sanchez and shortstop Jack Wilson – part of the NL’s leading double-play team — are out of the lineup again as the Pirates return home to play the Reds at 7:05 p.m. tonight at PNC Park. This is the fifth game in a row that Wilson (shoulder) has not started. Sanchez (shoulder) [...]

NEW YORK — Andy LaRoche is back in the lineup for the first time since Aug. 4. Jack Wilson, however, is unable to go because of tightness in his right shoulder. “Yesterday, it felt pretty good,” Wilson said. “I thought I’d be able to go today. But it hurts. It didn’t progress the way I’d [...]

PHILADELPHIA — Adam LaRoche (ribcage) will catch a 5 o’clock flight this afternoon to Charlotte, N.C. Tomorrow, the first baseman will begin what should be a brief rehab assignment with low-A Hickory. “I’ll play there a couple of days, get my swings in, and be re-evaluated,” LaRoche said. “Hopefully, I’ll be back quick. I’ll play [...]

PHILADELPHIA — It would be difficult to find a better defensive play than the game-ending double play the Pirates turned in the 12th inning Friday night. “There’s no better way to end a game, especially like that,” said reliever Craig Hansen, who secured his first National League save. “I was just amazed.” Sent out to [...]

PHILADELPHIA — Shortstop Jack Wilson will be out of the lineup “a couple more days,” according to manager John Russell. Wilson was a late scratch last night due to tightness in his right shoulder. “It’s the same thing I had in spring training a couple of years ago,” Wilson said. Wilson is available to pinch [...]

PHILADELPHIA — Phil Dumatrait’s season is over. The left-hander had minor surgery this morning to repair some damage near his rotator cuff. Dumatrait has been on the disabled list since July 11 with bursitis in his throwing shoulder. This is the second time this season Dumatrait was on the DL with shoulder pain. After his [...]

PHILADELPHIA — It’s not even lunch time yet, but there already are a bunch of minor roster moves to report: — Closer Matt Capps (shoulder) has completed his workouts in the Gulf Coast League. He will make his next rehab appearance Tuesday for either Triple-A Indianapolis or Double-A Altoona. The Big Bull Rider remains on [...]

PHOENIX — Today is an off day for the Pirates, so let’s go through some leftovers, notes and whatnot from Jeff Karstens’ almost-perfect game: — First off, a great, big boo to the 28,556 fans who watched the game at Chase Field. Yes, Karstens was pitching for the other team. But when a guy comes [...]

PHOENIX — Jeff Karstens’ bid for a perfect game would’ve ended in the first inning instead of the eighth if Jason Michaels hadn’t been able to track down two deep fly balls. “Sometimes, it’s better to be lucky than good,” Karstens said. “This is a big ballpark to center field. They hit some balls deep, [...]

PHOENIX — Lost amid all the buzz surrounding Jeff Karsten’s near no-hitter today against Arizona was the rematch between Doug Mientkiewicz and Randy Johnson. During the June 9 game at PNC Park, Mientkiewicz stepped out of the batter’s box to break up Johnson’s rhythm on the mound. Tempers flared and both benches emptied, though no [...]