Pittsburgh Pirates / MLB category, Page 3
Pirates make more cuts, optioning LHP Evan Sisk to Indianapolis, reassigning 4 others
The Pittsburgh Pirates made another round of cuts Tuesday morning, with left-handed reliever Evan Sisk losing out on a spot in the bullpen. Sisk was optioned to Triple-A Indianapolis, and right-handers Beau Burrows, Michael Darrell-Hicks, Noah Davis and Noah Murdock and catcher Shawn Ross were reassigned to minor-league camp. There...
Mark Madden: Does international sports hype live up to the substance?
We’re locked in a feeding frenzy of international sports. The U.S. swept Canada in men’s, women’s and sled hockey. The World Baseball Classic provided Paul Skenes a chance to pitch for a team that could win. We’ve long since quit waving Old Glory in the name of decency and humanity,...
After strong spring for Pirates, Termarr Johnson sets sights on tapping into power
BRADENTON, Fla. — Where Konnor Griffin has drawn all the attention for the Pittsburgh Pirates, his double-play partner at Double-A Altoona quietly went about his business to have a strong spring training. Only four years ago, Termarr Johnson was the teenager who was the top-10 draft pick and being talked...
Noah Davis surrenders another 3-run home run as Twins power past Pirates
Noah Davis was stung by command issues against the Minnesota Twins, but it was another three-run home run that left a mark. Luke Keaschall broke open a tied game with a three-run shot in the third inning, and Victor Caratini added a solo shot as the Twins cruised to a...
Paul Skenes’ girlfriend Livvy Dunne to make acting debut in ‘Baywatch’ rebootVideo
Livvy Dunne, girlfriend of Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Paul Skenes, is heading to the beach to star in the Fox reboot of the TV series “Baywatch.” The 23-year-old former Louisiana State University gymnast, social media influencer and Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue cover model is taking on her first acting role with...
Pirates option IF Enmanuel Valdez, reassign OF Dominic Fletcher in latest round of cuts
The Pittsburgh Pirates made another round of cuts, and infielder Enmanuel Valdez was the latest casualty. Valdez was optioned to Triple-A Indianapolis on Monday morning, while outfielder Dominic Fletcher was reassigned to minor league camp. The 27-year-old Valdez played 31 games for the Pirates last season, batting .209/.294/.363 with four...
Kevin Gorman’s Take 5: WBC performance shows Paul Skenes is ready to lead the Pirates
The World Baseball Classic semifinal Sunday night was filled with superstars making spectacular plays, hitting majestic home runs and putting on a ridiculous display of pitching against two of the most dangerous batting orders in baseball history. That Pittsburgh played a central role made it all the more thrilling. A...
‘Wants the moment’: Paul Skenes shines in the WBC spotlight, treats it same as Pirates outings
MIAMI — Paul Skenes pitched with poise through pressure, dispatching a series of stars on a night of great stakes in a sold-out stadium with millions watching on TV. This was the type of game he never sees with the Pittsburgh Pirates and he may not experience on a regular...
Konnor Griffin homers in 9th to prevent shutout as Pirates stumble against Rays
Konnor Griffin hit his fourth home run of spring training in the ninth inning to spare the Pittsburgh Pirates a shutout loss. The Tampa Bay Rays got three-hit performances from Jake Fraley and Cedric Mullins, who homered and had four RBIs in a 6-1 win over the Pirates on Sunday...
Henry Davis ends drought with a bang, Marcell Ozuna hits 3-run shot as Pirates top Orioles
Henry Davis was searching for his first hit of spring training, a stretch that endured 17 at-bats but proved worth the wait. Davis ended his drought by hitting a leadoff home run, sparking a game that saw the Pittsburgh Pirates catcher go 1 for 2 with two RBIs, along with...
Pirates’ Paul Skenes to pitch in WBC semifinals after refocused U.S. beats Canada
HOUSTON — The United States is heading to the semifinals of the World Baseball Classic after a “different level of focus” helped this All-Star-studded team rebound from a shocking loss. The U.S. beat Canada, 5-3, on Friday night for a spot in the semifinals Sunday against the Dominican Republic. The...
Jhostynxon Garcia hits 2-run home run as newcomers push Pirates past Tigers
Whether they were swinging the bat or drawing walks, the new acquisitions played a big role for the Pittsburgh Pirates. Jhostynxon Garcia, Jake Mangum and Tyler Callihan combined for four hits, four runs and four RBIs as the Pirates earned a 7-5 win over the Detroit Tigers on Friday night...
Konnor Griffin, 19, is baseball’s No. 1 prospect. Is he ready to be Pirates’ starting shortstop?
BRADENTON, Fla. Nothing about Konnor Griffin is common. Griffin stands 6-foot-4, 225 pounds, with a statuesque build that could be chiseled from marble. He plays shortstop, baseball’s premier position, and his five-tool talent shined across three levels in his first professional season to earn minor- league player of the year honors....
Bubba Chandler strikes out 8, as Pirates overcome 6 no-hit innings to beat Braves
Bubba Chandler had no intention to throw four-seam fastballs on 74% of his pitches, but the Pittsburgh Pirates right-hander followed the instructions of catcher Henry Davis in his ear through PitchCom. “I just throw them,” Chandler told SportsNet Pittsburgh in a post-game interview. “I throw what I hear.” Chandler’s heater...
Former 1st-round pick Termarr Johnson reassigned as Pirates make more cuts
The Pittsburgh Pirates made another round of cuts from big-league camp Thursday that included a former first-round pick. Second baseman Termarr Johnson, the No. 4 overall selection in 2022, was one of eight players reassigned to minor-league camp. The 21-year-old Johnson batted .272/.363/.382 with 15 doubles, three triples, nine home...
Why the ABS system has Pirates catcher Joey Bart 2nd-guessing strikes, making challenges
Joey Bart has noticed from behind the plate that the strike zone is different for every hitter because of the use of the automated ball-strike system in Grapefruit League games. The Pittsburgh Pirates catcher is still adjusting to how the challenge system on calls could affect the outcome of at-bats...
Taylor Ward spoils solid start for Noah Davis by hitting 3-run homer as Orioles pound Pirates
Noah Davis was dealing through four scoreless innings against the Baltimore Orioles, recording four strikeouts and drawing seven whiffs while allowing one hit and one walk in his first start of spring training. With two outs in the fifth, the right-hander ran into trouble. He gave up a single to...
Mark Madden: Pirates will honor Andrew McCutchen, whether he deserves it or not
Some characterize Andrew McCutchen’s departure to Texas as “sad.” Nah. Not from the Pittsburgh Pirates’ point of view, anyway. The Pirates didn’t want their clubhouse to be a museum. They moved on from a player who is old and past significant usefulness. A nostalgia act. An extra pierogi. It’s sad...
Dominic Fletcher discovers rhythm at plate, hopes to find a place in outfield with Pirates
BRADENTON, Fla. – Dominic Fletcher wanted nothing more than to pick up where he left off at the plate last season, only to have trouble finding the rhythm in his swing at the start of spring training. After going 1 for 11 in his first five Grapefruit League games, Fletcher...
Isaac Mattson seeks to sharpen slider, changeup to complement his invisible fastball
BRADENTON, Fla. — Isaac Mattson has heard his disappearing four-seam fastball described as a unicorn fastball, invisible fastball or even the invisi-ball, but the Pittsburgh Pirates right-handed reliever has his own name for it. “I just call it a heater,” Mattson said with a smile. It’s a heater delivered with...
Konnor Griffin delivers key hit as Pirates beat Yankees
Keyed by a run-scoring double by top prospect Konnor Griffin, the Pittsburgh Pirates defeated the New York Yankees, 5-3, in spring training baseball Monday night in Tampa, Fla. With the Pirates trailing 3-1 and the bases loaded in the top of the fifth, Griffin hit a two-run, two-out, two-strike double...
Nick Yorke revels in being a ‘dirtbag ballplayer,’ willing to play any position the Pirates ask
BRADENTON, Fla. — For Nick Yorke, spring training meant adding another glove to play another position for the Pittsburgh Pirates. Where he added a first baseman’s mitt to his collection last year, a new one was needed to handle the hot corner this year. Selected 17th overall as a shortstop...
Billy Cook bounces back from season-ending injury with big day as Pirates beat Red Sox
BRADENTON, Fla. — Billy Cook was one of the feel-good stories among Pittsburgh Pirates September call-ups in 2024, as the outfielder made his major-league debut and had five extra-base hits and eight RBIs. A year later, Cook could only cheer for his teammates at Triple-A Indianapolis who got their promotions...
Pirates GM Ben Cherington pumps brakes on Konnor Griffin’s chances of making the team
BRADENTON, Fla. — Konnor Griffin has been one of the biggest stories in baseball this spring training, as baseball’s consensus No. 1 prospect’s five-tool talents have been on display in Grapefruit League games. Whether it was hitting two home runs over the replica Green Monster against the Boston Red Sox...
Healthy Hunter Barco adds new pitches in push for starting spot as Pirates top Tigers
LAKELAND, Fla. — Hunter Barco is pitching without restrictions this spring training, and having the reins off has the left-hander finally feeling like a starting pitcher for the Pittsburgh Pirates. “I feel much more free,” Barco said. “I don’t have to worry about anything. I’m just going out there pitching...
