Pirates/MLB category, Page 34
Pirates mourn loss of Octavio Dotel, killed in a nightclub roof collapse in Dominican Republic
The Pittsburgh Pirates are mourning the loss of Octavio Dotel, the former relief pitcher who was among at least 44 people killed when a nightclub roof collapsed Monday night in his native Dominican Republic. Dotel was among the crowd attending a concert by merengue singer Rubby Perez at Jet Set...
Tim Benz: Ben Cherington’s Paul Skenes-Pedro Martinez comp misses a crucial ingredient
During his weekly radio show on Sunday afternoon, Pittsburgh Pirates general manager Ben Cherington was asked if he had ever seen anyone like Paul Skenes. The name he pulled was Pedro Martinez. “I was with the Red Sox during part of Pedro’s prime. They’re very different pitchers. They do it...
Pirates hope minor league stint can fix David Bednar’s struggles
For Derek Shelton, the decision to demote David Bednar to Triple-A Indianapolis was difficult, so the Pittsburgh Pirates manager knew informing the two-time All-Star closer would be uncomfortable. Shelton expected Bednar to be emotional, given that he’s a 30-year-old veteran with four-plus years of major league service time and a...
Young pitchers get back on track, lead Pirates past Cardinals
Their first starts of the season didn’t go as Carmen Mlodzinski or Thomas Harrington had planned, so the Pittsburgh Pirates right-handers were eager to prove themselves Monday night. In a role reversal, the reliever-turned-starter Mlodzinski had six strikeouts in five innings and the starter-turned-reliever Harrington added five strikeouts in protecting...
Pirates prospect Tsung-Che Cheng soaks up atmosphere after call-up to majors
Over its 24 years as home of the Pirates, PNC Park has had a mesmerizing effect on many because of its picturesque view of downtown Pittsburgh. By his own admission, Tsung-Che Cheng was the latest to be enchanted by the sights. For Cheng, called up Monday by the Pirates from...
Pirates call up shortstop Tsung-Che Cheng, their No. 17 prospect, from Triple-A
The Pittsburgh Pirates promoted their No. 17 overall prospect, 23-year-old shortstop Tsung-Che Cheng, from Triple-A Indianapolis on Monday. Cheng, who is with the Pirates ahead of their series-opening home game Monday night vs. the St. Louis Cardinals, would be in line to make his MLB debut. Cheng’s promotion comes as...
Swissvale man embodies loyalty, love of the Pirates by attending 68th straight home opener
When John Wray III was 6 years old, his father took him to his first Pittsburgh Pirates baseball home opener at Forbes Field in Oakland. The date was April 18, 1958. The younger Wray, now 73, hasn’t missed a home opener since. He attended his 68th home opener Friday at...
Mixing and matching: With back end of bullpen in flux, Pirates relievers stay ready for any role
With Colin Holderman on the 15-day injured list and David Bednar demoted to Triple-A Indianapolis, Derek Shelton had neither his setup man nor his All-Star closer for the final two innings Sunday. That is the dilemma for the Pittsburgh Pirates manager in his attempt to navigate high-leverage situations by telling...
Tim Benz: Ben Cherington tells Pirates players to ‘take a breath’ as fan rancor swirls
It’s a little early to start thinking about the Pearl Jam concerts at PPG Paints Arena on May 16 and 18. But Pittsburgh Pirates general manager Ben Cherington wants his players to channel their inner Eddie Vedder and “Just Breathe.” “In the clubhouse, what I see is maybe just taking...
Pirates farm report for April 6, 2025: Sammy Siani’s 2-run homer lifts Curve past Baysox
INDIANAPOLIS (Triple-A, 2-4) split two games with Iowa (Cubs). In the continuation of Friday’s suspended game in the 10th inning, Indy won 5-4. LF/2B Nick Solak (.250) hit a walk-off single to secure the victory. DH Malcom Nunez (.250) was 2 for 5 with a double and two RBIs. 1B...
Mark Madden: Ridicule Pirates for many things, but not for disrespecting Clemente family
The Pittsburgh Pirates erected a statue of Roberto Clemente outside PNC Park. His retired No. 21 is on display. The right-field wall is called the Roberto Clemente Wall, is 21 feet tall and adorned with two No. 21s. Clemente was in the first class inducted to the Pirates’ in-house hall...
Andrew Heaney’s 10 strikeouts, Tommy Pham’s walk-off single in 11th lift Pirates past Yankees
The Pittsburgh Pirates found the perfect antidote for the hot-hitting New York Yankees in soft-tossing left-hander Andrew Heaney, who lulled their torpedo bats to sleep with a fastball that sat a tick below 90 mph and a mix of offspeed and breaking pitches. Heaney recorded 10 strikeouts in seven innings...
Pirates president vows to put Roberto Clemente’s name back on wall
The Pittsburgh Pirates responded to their latest controversy by reversing their decision to remove a logo with Hall of Famer Roberto Clemente’s name and No. 21 below the right-field foul pole. Pirates president Travis Williams took responsibility for replacing the logo with a Surfside ad without first informing the Clemente...
Pirates GM Ben Cherington calls demoting David Bednar a ‘difficult’ decision, conversation
Informing two-time All-Star closer David Bednar he was being optioned to Triple-A Indianapolis was what Pittsburgh Pirates general manager Ben Cherington called “a very difficult decision, a very difficult conversation and not one he liked in the moment.” Cherington addressed the move to demote Bednar, a Mars alum who is...
Pirates place righty reliever Colin Holderman on 15-day IL, recall Chase Shugart from Indy
The Pittsburgh Pirates made a bullpen move before Sunday’s game against the New York Yankees that will affect high-leverage situations, as they now need both a closer and a setup man. They placed right-handed reliever Colin Holderman on the 15-day injured list with a right knee sprain and recalled righty...
From shutdown to reopen, a timeline of how the sports world was impacted by covid-19
The covid-19 pandemic affected all corners of humanity in the United States, touching everything from myriad industries to patterns of social interaction to politics and methods for healthcare. Sports might not have the societal importance of many of the other areas, but it did serve as a significant public bellwether...
Pirates intrigued by power-hitting potential of new addition Alexander Canario
Alexander Canario brought a reputation of power-hitting potential along with frequent swings and misses into his debut action with the Pittsburgh Pirates on Friday. “From the people I’ve talked to in other places he’s been, when he impacts the ball, it’s pretty impressive,” manager Derek Shelton said. Canario, traded to...
5 years later, how covid has transformed sports and athletes’ lives
Sidney Crosby leaned back on the bench at his locker after a practice last month. The Pittsburgh Penguins superstar shook his head with a smile that expressed an almost-disbelieving nostalgia. Five years to the day from when the previously unfathomable happened, the longtime face of the NHL was marveling at...
Pirates farm report for April 5, 2025: Javier Rivas, Maikol Escotto lead Greensboro to 2-0 start
INDIANAPOLIS (Triple-A, 1-3) and Iowa (Cubs) had their game canceled because of inclement weather. Friday’s game that was suspended as well will resume in the top of the 10th inning at 12:15 p.m. Sunday. Sunday’s game will begin 45 minutes after the conclusion. Next: Sunday vs. Iowa (Cubs), 12:15 p.m....
Pirates respond to social media reaction, defend replacing Clemente Wall logo with ad
Pittsburgh Pirates fans have been voicing their complaints with the club, with the latest controversy coming because of the reaction by the son of the most beloved player in franchise history. Roberto Clemente Jr. wrote a one-word response to a social media post noting that the Clemente 21 logo on...
‘We’ve got to play better’: Paul Skenes shifts blame for Pirates’ play from Nutting, Shelton
It should come as no surprise that the introductions that drew the loudest ovations from Pittsburgh Pirates fans at the home opener were reserved for generational talents Paul Skenes and Andrew McCutchen. Where McCutchen helped the Pirates end a two-decade losing streak, Skenes seeks to serve as the catalyst in...
Bucs Q&A with Bryan Reynolds
Bryan Reynolds, RF/DH What do you think of the torpedo bat craze? I’ve got some coming to try it. Obviously, I’m curious. If you can change the bat substantially, why can’t pitchers use Spider-Tack? I’m interested because it could help but, shoot, Spider-Tack helps, too. Everybody’s hitting homers with it,...
Pirates prospect watch: Bubba Chandler allows 1 hit in season debut
Prospect Watch Bubba Chandler, 6-3, 218, RHP The 22-year-old Chandler, a 2021 third-round pick who bypassed a chance to play quarterback at Clemson to sign for a $3 million bonus, is the Pirates’ top prospect and is ranked in the top 100 by both Baseball America (No. 6) and MLB...
Pirates struggle at plate again, 6-run 5th powers Yankees to win
Frequent defensive mishaps and mental mistakes on the basepaths by the Pittsburgh Pirates have contributed to their poor start to the season. But those struggles are of a secondary nature when compared to an inability to score runs. Following Saturday’s 10-4 loss to the Yankees at PNC Park in front...
Mark Madden’s Hot Take: The Pirates continue to fleece fans, city
Pirates owner Bob Nutting garnished the home opener at PNC Park this past Friday with a huge steaming helping of horse manure. Nutting said that winning is “the most important thing we’re focused on.” A bold-faced lie. Nutting also said, “I think I’ve done everything I can to provide the...
