Blogs

BRADENTON, Fla. — It is unofficially official: Ross Ohlendorf has sewn up the No. 4 spot in the rotation. “He’s put himself in a real good position, put it that way,” manager John Russell said tonight. “Each outing, he’s gotten better.” The battle for the final rotation job is down to either Jeff Karstens or [...]

BRADENTON, Fla. — Owner Bob Nutting met today with farm director Kyle Stark and other scouting staff. A few minutes ago, Nutting stopped by the press box at McKechnie Field before the night game against Toronto. Tomorrow morning, Nutting will meet with manager John Russell and the coaching staff. Nutting was supposed to speak at [...]

BRADENTON, Fla. — Jose Tabata’s “meet the press” session today raised many more questions than it answered. How did his wife fake a pregnancy? When did the fake birth “happen,” and why wasn’t he there? How could he not be suspicious when he didn’t meet “his” baby for two months? How could he be unaware [...]

BRADENTON, Fla. — Outfielder Jose Tabata will speak with reporters this morning after workouts conclude at the minor league camp at Pirate City. The Pirates have kept Tabata away from the media the past few days, in the wake of his wife being charged by police in the alleged abduction of a 2-month-old girl. • [...]

PORT CHARLOTTE — Locked in a battle for the No. 5 spot in the starting rotation, Jeff Karstens is trying to take it in stride. “If it comes down to Virgil (Vasquez) getting the spot, that means I didn’t deserve it,” Karstens said. “I don’t look at it as a negative. It’s a long season. [...]

PORT CHARLOTTE — Jack Wilson’s asthma flared up and he was forced to heave tonight’s game against the Rays after one inning. Wilson left the field with head athletic trainer Brad Henderson. Wilson took one at-bat and popped out. He played shortstop in the bottom of the first inning, but did not make any plays [...]

BRADENTON, Fla. — The game time for today’s game between the Pirates and the Tampa Bay Rays at McKechnie Field has been pushed back due to rain. The first pitch is expected to be thrown at 1:15 p.m. instead of the scheduled 1:05 p.m. start. It looks clear now, but it drizzled for about five [...]

BRADENTON, Fla. — Today’s matchup between the Pirates and the Reds was a rarity for a spring training game. Reds pitcher Aaron Harang had a no-hitter through six innings before he called it a day. The Pirates mustered just two hits in the 6-0 loss to the Reds at McKechnie Field. Nate McLouth recorded the [...]

It’s a tad chilly here today at McKechnie Field or maybe I should say breezy. It’s 63 degrees and sunny but a bit windy. Considering it’s 39 degrees in Pittsburgh, I won’t complain. The Pirates are on the field practicing pickoff moves and rundowns, but other than that, there’s not much going on. The Pirates [...]

SARASOTA, Fla. — There doesn’t seem to be much news that comes out of spring training games, but manager John Russell offered some notable insight today. After the game, he practically named Paul Maholm the opening-day starter. “I think everybody knows it’s Paul,” Russell said. “We haven’t officially told anybody. Obviously, we’re probably leaning toward [...]