Blogs

FORT MYERS, Fla. — Either way, Jeff Karstens figures he’s gonna pitch Sunday at Pirate City.
If Karstens is named the Pirates’ No. 5 starter — that decision likely will be announced tomorrow morning — he’ll pitch in a minor league game Sunday to stay on track for his season debut April 10 in Cincinnati.
If Karstens [...]

FORT MYERS, Fla. — In addition to a nasty stomach bug, reliever Evan Meek is fighting bronchitis. There’s no indication yet when he’ll be able to get back on the mound and whether this will impact his chances of making the 25-man roster.
• Third baseman Andy LaRoche also has a queasy stomach and did not [...]

BRADENTON, Fla. — Jason Jaramillo whacked a run-scoring single up the middle with two outs in the bottom of the ninth, lifting the Pirates past the Reds, 3-2.
Since being told Saturday he’d won the backup catcher job, Jaramillo has gone 3 for 8. After looking out of sorts at the plate for much of the [...]

BRADENTON, Fla. — Andrew McCutchen is closer to the major leagues than general manager Neal Huntington expected. Yet, that did not prevent the Pirates from sending McCutchen and infielder Brian Bixler back to the minors this morning.
“Both players arguably deserve to be on a major league team,” Huntington said. “Both players have very strong springs. [...]

TAMPA — After cruising through much of spring training, today Zach Duke finally struggled.
Duke worked 3 1/3 innings and allowed eight runs on nine hits. He walked three and struck out one.
“It was a battle, it seemed, every at-bat,” Duke said. “The main thing is I got my work in and nothing’s hurt.”
Manager John Russell [...]

TAMPA — GM Neal Huntington today poured more cold water on speculation that outfielder Andrew McCutchen will be with the team on Opening Day.
“Andrew came in with the motivation to try to open some eyes and make it very tough to send him out, and he’s done that,” Huntington said. “There’s still development that remains [...]

TAMPA — In a bid to remain in Pittsburgh, Jack Wilson has approached the Pirates about renegotiating the option year on his contract.
Early this morning, Wilson confirmed that he asked his agent to open talks with the Pirates about his contract.
Before the 2006 season, Wilson signed a four-year, $24.4 million deal.
The team option for 2010 [...]

BRADENTON, Fla. — Ian Snell heard the sound of the ball meeting Ryan Howard’s bat, and immediately feared the worst.
“I thought it was World War III or something,” Snell said. “It was a loud crack.”
Howard’s home run sailed over the batter’s eye in center field — a blast of 500 feet or more.
“That was a [...]

BRADENTON, Fla. — Pirates owner Bob Nutting said ticket sales have not taken a serious hit because of the sluggish national economy.
“Our season ticket renewal rate is slightly higher than it was last year,” Nutting said Saturday. “We’re very pleased with the support we’re getting from the fans.”
Nutting added that sales of new season-ticket plans [...]

BRADENTON, Fla. — Jason Jaramillo will be the backup catcher, as Robinzon Diaz this morning was optioned to Triple-A Indianapolis.
Steve Pearce also was optioned to Indy. Infielder Anderson Machado was reassigned to minor league camp.
Jaramillo, 26, finally stuck with a big league club in his fourth spring training attempt. Jaramillo teared up a bit as [...]