Blogs

Today was by far the breeziest day at Pirate City since training camp opened. What a perfect time to hold popup drills for catchers.

BRADENTON, Fla. – Pirates third baseman Pedro Alvarez sat out today’s spring training workouts due to neck spasms. General manager Neal Huntington did not specify how and when Alvarez was injured. “He woke up this morning with a sore neck,” Huntington said. “He’s day to day.” Left-hander Scott Olsen threw long toss this morning on [...]

Although righty Jeff Karstens could end up in the bullpen this season, he’ll build up innings like a starter for at least the first couple weeks of Grapefruit League games.

arly in his career, Tyler Yates threw a changeup, four-seamer and slider. But when a coach told him he only needed two pitches to work out of the bullpen, Yates junked the changeup.

BRADENTON, Fla. — Manager Clint Hurdle spoke this morning during a team meeting before the first official full-squad workout. Hurdle delivered a simple message. “We need to focus forward,” Hurdle said. “We have work to do. We need everybody all in. We talked about trust; that’s something I’m a big believer in. There will be [...]

Pirates president Frank Coonelly is evaluating the status of general manager Neal Huntington, but so far has not offered a contract extension.

BRADENTON, Fla. — My story today about Pedro Alvarez’s mysterious weight focused on whether or not he can do the job defensively at third base. But I’ve been asked whether a few extra pounds will hurt his offensive skills. Hey, heavy dudes can hit. (I’m talkin’ to you, Prince Fielder.) GM Neal Huntington certainly doesn’t [...]

The Grapefruit League opener is in eight days. Manager Clint Hurdle has been tinkering with lineups, but he doesn’t want to tip his hand.

It’s a good thing Clint Hurdle does not have triskaidekaphobia.

The Pirates defused talk of a spring training showdown between Joel Hanrahan and Evan Meek by today naming Hanrahan the closer for the regular season.