Blogs

LAKELAND, Fla. — Be careful when you read spring training numbers. Some, like Zach Duke’s linescore from today’s 8-5 loss against the Tigers (3 2/3 innings, nine hits, eight runs, one walk, three strikeouts) might not have much bearing on the regular season. Once the games start to count, pitchers pitch differently. Balls aren’t carried [...]

LAKELAND, Fla. — This morning, Erik Kratz was reassigned to minor league camp, meaning Jason Jaramillo will open the season as the backup catcher. Kratz will be the everyday catcher at Triple-A Indianapolis. Lineups for this afternoon’s game: Pirates — 1. Aki Iwamura 2b, 2. Andrew McCutchen cf, 3. Garrett Jones rf, 4. Ryan Doumit [...]

Charlie Morton’s final spring training start went very well, albeit in a 4-1 loss against the Twins. Morton yielded one run and five hits, walked one and struck out three. Jason Kubel’s solo homer in the fifth inning was the lone stain on Morton’s day.

FORT MYERS, Fla. — A round of roster cuts this morning has firmed up the bullpen — for now, at least. Pitchers Jeff Karstens, Steven Jackson, Anthony Claggett, Brian Bass, Vinnie Chulk and Jeremy Powell and catcher Luke Carlin were reassigned to minor league camp. That leaves seven healthy pitchers — Octavio Dotel, Brendan Donnelly, [...]

The burden of showing the Pirates got something worthwhile from the Jason Bay trade now falls to Andy LaRoche and Bryan Morris.

At first glance., the Pirates’ batting order today might look a bit odd. Get used to it.

Here’s something you don’t see often in spring training games: an intentional walk.

The Pirates have their final split-squad games today, with half the team here and the rest in Clearwater to play the Phillies. At 6-15, the Pirates have the worst record among NL teams (the Rangers are 6-16) out in Arizona.

“Everybody makes errors. It happens,” shortstop Ronny Cedeno said. “But I’ve got to stay focused. I’ve got to get ready for the season.”

BRADENTON, Fla. — I just spent a few minutes chatting with former owner Kevin McClatchy, who’s in town just long enough to see today’s game. “I used to go to every spring training game, home or away,” McClatchy said. McClatchy bought his own tickets to the game against the Toronto Blue Jays and is seated, [...]