Blogs

KISSIMMEE, Fla. — Craig Monroe’s homer this afternoon smacked about a third of the way up the huge batter’s eye in center field.
A monster shot.
“It felt good,” Monroe said, with a satisfied smile. “I’m getting there. I’m still getting used to not having the big leg kick, but it’s definitely feeling more natural.”
Throughout his career, [...]

KISSIMMEE, Fla. — Shortstop Brian Bixler had his hands full today in the Pirates’ 6-5 victory against the Astros. Bixler had five assists in six innings, and had a hand in six of the first nine putouts of the game.
“That’s what you get with sinkerballers,” lefty pitcher Paul Maholm said. “Just ask Jack (Wilson). He [...]

BRADENTON, Fla. — Eric Hinske doesn’t expect to miss more than a week with a bruise on his left ribcage.
Hinske sustained the injury Wednesday when he crashed into the outfield wall. He played yesterday, but when he took batting practice this morning, his ribs were too sore to go on.
“I was in the cage, thinking, [...]

BRADENTON, Fla. — Pedro Alvarez, the Pirates’ top draft pick last year, will make his first start of spring training today against the Braves.
Alvarez will replace designated hitter Eric Hinske, who was a late scratch with a bruised left ribcage. Hinske was injured Wednesday when he ran into the outfield wall during the game against [...]

FORT MYERS, Fla. — Pedro Alvarez’s first hit in Pirates spring training camp was a biggie — an RBI double in the ninth inning today against Boston. Alvarez wound up scoring the winning run in the Pirates’ 3-2 decision.
Yesterday against the Phillies, Alvarez struck out on three pitches — all offspeed stuff in the dirt. [...]

BRADENTON, Fla. — It was a somewhat un-Capps-like performance this afternoon by the Pirates’ closer.
Matt Capps pitched the second inning of the 8-2 victory against the Phillies. The game was scoreless when Capps entered; Chris Bootcheck tossed a 1-2-3 first inning.
First batter, Ryan Howard. Strikeout swinging.
The next three batters were aging vets Geoff Jenkins and [...]

BRADENTON, Fla. — Shelby Ford and Donnie Veal, two players not expected to play prominent roles with the Pirates this season, stepped up Wednesday in the 8-2 rout of the Phillies.
Ford smacked a three-run, pinch-hit homer. A third-round draft pick in 2006, Ford opened enough eyes last season to earn a non-roster invite to spring [...]

BRADENTON, Fla. — Catcher Ryan Doumit will not make the trip Thursday to Fort Myers for the game against the Boston Red Sox. That means the battle between Robinzon Diaz and Jason Jaramillo for the backup job is about to begin in earnest.
• Ronny Paulino, who once was considered the Pirates’ long-term solution at catcher [...]

BRADENTON, Fla. — The Pirates’ lineup for this afternoon’s Grapefruit League opener against the Phillies:
1. Nyjer Morgan lf, 2. Freddy Sanchez 2b, 3. Nate McLouth cf, 4. Ryan Doumit c, 5. Adam LaRoche 1b, 6. Craig Monroe dh, 7. Brandon Moss rf, 8. Ramon Vazquez 3b, 9. Jack Wilson ss.

BRADENTON, Fla. — Eight Pirates players — only two from the major-league roster — were chosen for the World Baseball Classic final rosters.
Infielder Ramon Vazquez and right-hander Ian Snell will play for Puerto Rico. Others selected were Dave Davidson (Canada), Ray Chang (China), Eliecer Navarro (Panama), Chi-Hung Cheng (Chinese Taipei), Josh Hill (Australia) and Paul [...]