Blogs

PORT CHARLOTTE — Craig Monroe’s six homers and nine RBI are impressive, and his defense in the outfield also has been solid. Yet, GM Neal Huntington today said Steve Pearce remains in the mix for the job of backup outfielder and right-handed bat off the bench. “That competition has been an intriguing one,” Huntington said. [...]

PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. — Today’s lineup has the look of being “one last go-round” for a few players. Early this morning, about an hour before the team bus pulled out for the Port Charlotte Stadium, there was an all-hands meeting in manager John Russell’s office. GM Neal Huntington, farm director Kyle Stark and the coaches [...]

BRADENTON, Fla. — At least manager John Russell didn’t have to run laps in the outfield after making an early exit from today’s game against the Yankees. Russell and second baseman Freddy Sanchez were ejected in the fifth inning by home plate umpire Rob Healey. Sanchez was tossed first for … um, disagreeing with Healey’s [...]

BRADENTON, Fla. — Andrew McCutchen was scratched from today’s lineup against the Yankees. Nate McLouth will start in center field and bat third. “No alarm, no injury,” said Pirates spokesman Matt Norby. “Just a change.” The original lineup was erroneously printed with McCutchen’s name instead of McLouth. • Updating the Yankees’ travel roster today, no [...]

BRADENTON, Fla. — The Yankees will bring a split squad to McKenchnie Field this afternoon to face the Pirates. Xavier Nady does not appear to be making the trip. The starting lineups: Yankees : 1. Melky Cabrera cf, 2. Nick Swisher rf, 3. Mark Teixeira 1b, Jorge Posada dh, 5. Austin Jackson lf, 6. Kevin [...]

CLEARWATER, Fla. — Jeremy Powell, who spent the past eight years pitching in Japan, got the save today in the Pirates’ 6-5 victory against the hated Phillies. It was his first appearance this spring, but he’s seen plenty of action in the past. Powell, 32, was drafted by the Montreal Expos — remember them? — [...]

CLEARWATER, Fla. — The Weather Channel is coming to the Pirates’ spring training camp. Really. TWC will broadcast Monday night from McKechnie Field during the Rays-Pirates game. Meteorologist Stephanie Abrams will do live remotes from 7 to 10 p.m. during the “Evening Edition” show. Abrams also will interview players and staff about how the change [...]

BRADENTON, Fla. — Craig Monroe did not call it revenge. He didn’t call it anything, in fact. When asked if it felt a little extra good today to hit three homers against the Twins — the team which unceremoniously dumped him midway through last season — Monroe just smiled. “I don’t want to go there,” [...]

BRADENTON, Fla. — Second baseman Shelby Ford left the field this morning during workouts escorted by a trainer. That’s never good news. When I walked up to Ford in the clubhouse a few minutes ago, he had an ice pack strapped to his right wrist. “Just a contusion,” Ford said. “Nothing serious.” Ford sustained the [...]

BRADENTON, Fla. — Eric Hinske’s smile was the giveaway. “No pain, getting better,” Hinske told me a few minutes ago after finishing a round of indoor batting practice. “Fifty swings, no pain.” Hinske has not played in two weeks after sustaining a bruised ribcage when he smashed into the outfield wall while making a catch. [...]