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Some of the Pirates’ minor league affiliates — such as the low-A State College Spikes and Double-A Altoona Curve — are owned by private investors. However, the Pirates will become the sole owners of their Class A club when they purchase the Sarasota franchise from the Cincinnati Reds and relocate it to Bradenton, Fla. “Many, [...]

This afternoon, the Pirates confirmed my report in today’s Pittsburgh Trib that they are in the process of moving their high Class A team from Lynchburg, Va., to Bradenton, Fla. Here is the complete e-mail statement from team president Frank Coonelly: “We are very close to finalizing the purchase of the Florida State League team [...]

The Pirates requested outright waivers on reliever Tyler Yates, who then opted for free agency. Yates missed most of last season after having reconstructive elbow surgery. Yates pitched in 87 games after the Pirates acquired him in a trade with Atlanta a week before the start of the 2008 season. This past season, the right-hander [...]

Pirates center fielder Andrew McCutchen today was named major league rookie of the year by Baseball America. McCutchen hit .286 with 26 doubles, 12 homers, 54 RBI and 22 stolen bases in 108 games. He led National League rookies with 47 extra-base hits and ranked second in multi-hit games, runs, walks and total bases. A [...]

CINCINNATI — Lineups for this afternoon’s season finale: PIRATES (62-98) Andrew McCutchen cf Andy LaRoche 3b Garrett Jones 1b Lastings Milledge lf Brandon Moss rf Delwyn Young 2b Robinzon Diaz c Luis Cruz ss Jeff Karstens (4-5, 5.37) rhp REDS (77-84) Drew Stubbs cf Paul Janish ss Joey Votto 1b Brandon Phillips 2b Scott Rolen [...]

Zach Duke struggled in his final start of the season Saturday, as the Pirates lost, 8-4, against the Cincinnati Reds. Duke (11-16) worked five innings and gave up five runs on six hits. He walked five, one shy of his career high, and struck out two. “My fastball command wasn’t very good tonight,” Duke said. [...]

CINCINNATI — It appears that Brandon Moss will head into next year as the incumbent right fielder. But during Moss’ “exit meeting” with manager John Russell and GM Neal Huntington, it was made clear that he still has a lot of work to do to establish job security. “He realizes the opportunity he got this [...]

Daniel McCutchen picked up his first major-league victory Friday, as the Pirates nipped the Cincinnati Reds, 3-1. The rookie right-hander worked 6.1 innings and allowed one run on four hits. McCutchen walked two and struck out five. McCutchen (1-2) was winless in his first five starts after being called up Aug. 31 from Triple-A Indianapolis. [...]

CINCINNATI — Today, Dr. James Andrews performed arthroscopic surgery to repair the labrum in Jose Ascanio’s right shoulder. General manager Neal Huntington said there is no timetable for when Ascanio will get back on the mound or if he will be ready for the start of spring training.

CINCINNATI — Jeff Karstens will start Sunday’s season finale against the Reds. Karstens threw 61 pitches in five innings Wednesday in the nightcap against the Cubs, so don’t expect him to go too deep into Sunday’s game. — Manager John Russell wanted righty Kevin Hart to start Sunday, but Hart is bothered by what appears [...]