Pirates/MLB category, Page 35
‘The book is guys like Judge’: Paul Skenes, Aaron Judge similar in ways beyond stature, skill
Pittsburgh Pirates manager Derek Shelton doesn’t profess to know Aaron Judge beyond a cordial hello. What he has heard about the New York Yankees slugger, though, makes him think of the superstar in his own dugout who might be on a similar career arc. “I have many friends on the...
Pirates farm report for April 4, 2025: Konnor Griffin collects 2 hits, steals 2 bags in Bradenton debut
INDIANAPOLIS (Triple-A, 1-3) and Iowa (Cubs) were suspended with the game tied 3-3 in the 10th inning. The game will be resumed Saturday at 5 p.m. 1B Matt Gorski (.333) went 2 for 4 with a double, a run scored and an RBI. DH Malcom Nunez (.200) went 1 for...
Tim Benz: Opening Day crowd should open the ears of the Pirates (and the owner)Video
Losing is one thing. How you lose and when you lose is another. Ask the Pittsburgh Steelers. For many NFL franchises, a 10-7 record and a playoff berth might sound like a pretty good year. When you lose five poorly played games in a row to close out the season...
Crowd erupts for Marc Fogel’s ceremonial first pitch at Pirates home openerVideo
Wearing a Roberto Clemente jersey, Marc Fogel walked to the mound, tipped his cap and blew two kisses to the sold-out PNC Park crowd at the Pirates’ home opener Friday. He then threw a ceremonial first pitch toward the plate to phenom pitcher and reigning National League Rookie of the...
‘We need to win more’: Amid protests, Pirates chairman Bob Nutting remains focused on goal
For Bob Nutting, the home opener at PNC Park is a day he describes as “incredibly special” for the Pittsburgh Pirates. It’s one where the Pirates chairman celebrates the return of baseball to the city, personally greeting players and coaches on the field before the game. As Nutting walked off...
Symbolic, pragmatic factors propel Pirates’ Andrew McCutchen to rare outfield start for home opener
The symbolism of 38-year-old Andrew McCutchen starting the Pittsburgh Pirates’ home opener in right field did not escape manager Derek Shelton. “The last two outfielders to play right field (for the Pirates) at that age were Bill Robinson and (Roberto) Clemente,” Shelton said. “I think everyone knows what Cutch means...
Pirates home opener: Fans looking forward to a day at PNC Park
For the first time ever, the Pittsburgh Pirates will host the New York Yankees in a home opener. Gates opened at 2 p.m. at PNC Park, which is celebrating its 25th season. First pitch is 4:12 p.m., a nod to Pittsburgh’s area code. The Pirates have struggled early on but...
Rain likely a factor for PNC Park’s opening weekend
Pittsburgh Pirates fans might be in for a soggy opening weekend at PNC Park. There’s a chance of rain throughout the weekend, with a flood watch is in effect until 7 a.m. Sunday, said Colton Milcarek, meteorologist at the National Weather Service in Moon. It looks like the home opener...
Mitch Keller fails to quiet Yankees’ bats in Pirates’ 9-4 loss in home opener
Mitch Keller’s shoulders remain strong in his seventh big-league season, but they don’t need to carry all the weight of the Pittsburgh Pirates’ 2-6 start. Nonetheless, he was willing Friday night to admit the truth after he allowed seven runs and couldn’t finish the fourth inning in the Pirates’ 9-4...
Pirates farm report for April 3, 2025: Bubba Chandler’s scoreless outing boosts Indianapolis
INDIANAPOLIS (Triple-A, 1-3) split a doubleheader with Iowa (Cubs). In the first game, a 7-6 Indianapolis win, C Henry Davis (.100) scored the winning run on a one-out grounder to third by PH Malcom Nunez (.182) in the bottom of the eighth. RHP Ryder Ryan pitched a scoreless top of...
Pirates add OF Alexander Canario, option IF/OF Ji Hwan Bae, trade C Jason Delay to Braves
The Pittsburgh Pirates made multiple roster moves ahead of their home opener against the New York Yankees, adding outfielder Alexander Canario to their 26-man active roster Thursday. To make room for Canario, who was acquired Monday from the New York Mets, the Pirates optioned infielder/outfielder Ji Hwan Bae to Triple-A...
Kevin Gorman’s Take 5: Can Pirates torpedo Yankees’ record-setting blasts with new bats?
Torpedo bats are the talk of baseball, thanks to the number of New York Yankees using them while smashing records in the opening weekend. The Yankees hit nine home runs against the Milwaukee Brewers in the second game of the season, 18 through the first four games and became the...
Mark Madden: Management failures, Paul Skenes’ future and more Pirates notes ahead of home opener
If the Siege of Leningrad were re-enacted on a baseball diamond, PNC Park would be the logical location. Let’s bunker in with refreshing Pittsburgh Pirates notes! • The New Yankees are killing it with those newfangled torpedo bats. The Pirates might as well be using Wiffle ball bats. Not much...
Going to the Pirates home opener? What you need to know
The Pittsburgh Pirates open their PNC Park season Friday, hosting the New York Yankees in a home opener for the first time in franchise history. The first pitch is set for 4:12 p.m. — a nod to the city’s 412 area code — at PNC Park on Pittsburgh’s North Shore....
GQ shows off baseball’s power couple: Paul Skenes and Livvy Dunne
The same day a GQ magazine profile is published, Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Paul Skenes led his team to its second win of the season. Coincidence? If Skenes has any say in it, he will propel the team to the post-season, he told GQ. Then, he will get to once again...
First Call: Paul Skenes reacts to his GQ photo spread with Livvy Dunne; Steelers pulled back on Kirk Cousins inquiryVideo
Thursday’s “First Call” has pictures of Paul Skenes’ GQ photo shoot with Livvy Dunne. The Pittsburgh Penguins have a daunting task in St. Louis. The Steelers apparently pulled back from a quarterback inquiry. Plus, Alex Ovechkin scored again. But now his Washington Capitals are suddenly struggling. Smile pretty for the...
Paul Skenes serves as stopper as Pirates snap 4-game losing streak with win over Rays
Looking to snap a four-game losing streak, the Pittsburgh Pirates needed Paul Skenes to stand tall and serve as the stopper. The 6-foot-6 right-hander didn’t shrink. Skenes delivered a quality start that was more efficient than dominant, recording six strikeouts without a walk in seven innings and rallying from 3-0...
Marc Fogel to throw out 1st pitch at Pirates home opener
To open its 25th season, PNC Park will welcome former Oakmont teacher Marc Fogel to throw out the ceremonial first pitch when the Pirates host the New York Yankees on Friday. Game time is 4:12 p.m. Fogel was arrested Aug. 14, 2021, in Moscow for bringing medical marijuana into Russia...
MLB’s average salary tops $5 million for first time, AP study shows
NEW YORK — Major League Baseball’s average salary broke the $5 million barrier on opening day for the first time, according to a study by The Associated Press. The New York Mets, with Juan Soto’s record $61.9 million pay, led MLB for the third straight opening day with a $322.6...
Predictable offensive woes already showing for Pirates
The Pirates have opened their 2025 season at 1-5 in Miami and Tampa Bay. Some preseason warnings have manifested as reasons for the slow start. Through the first six games, we’ve seen the predicted fielding concerns, bullpen issues, and back end of the rotation worries. However, the red flags many...
Pirates farm report for April 1, 2025: Mike Burrows puts up zeroes in Indianapolis loss
INDIANAPOLIS (Triple-A, 0-2) lost 2-1 in a pitchers’ duel with Iowa (Cubs). RHP Mike Burrows (0.00) started and went 3⅔ innings, allowing three hits and no walks with four strikeouts. RHP Chase Shugart (0.00) worked two scoreless innings and RHP Kyle Nicolas (13.50) and RHP Hunter Stratton (0.00) each threw...
Thomas Harrington roughed up in MLB debut, as Pirates are blanked by Rays for 4th straight loss
When Paul Skenes made his MLB debut last May, the Pittsburgh Pirates knew that coming up behind him was another wave of promising pitching prospects inching closer to the big leagues in Braxton Ashcraft, Bubba Chandler and Thomas Harrington. Less than a week into the regular season, Harrington became the...
Pirates’ No. 3 prospect Thomas Harrington lasts 4 innings in MLB debut, allows 6 runs to RaysVideo
Pittsburgh Pirates No. 3 overall prospect Thomas Harrington made his MLB debut Tuesday night against the Tampa Bay Rays and struggled, allowing six earned runs in four innings. Manager Derek Shelton pulled him after four innings with Tampa Bay leading 6-0. The 23-year-old righty threw 54 of his 90 pitches...
New Curve manager accepts challenge of developing prospects making position changes
ALTOONA — As a second-round pick who bounced between the major leagues and the minors, Andy Fox is quick to offer that his heart is in player development because he’s a product of the process. The Altoona Curve plan to tap into their first-year manager’s passion this season by having...
Pirates option closer David Bednar to Triple-A, DFA catcher Jason Delay
Pittsburgh Pirates closer David Bednar was optioned to Triple-A Indianapolis on Tuesday after three rough outings to begin the season. The move cleared a spot on the 26-man active roster for right-hander Thomas Harrington, the team’s No. 3 prospect who was recalled from Triple-A to start against the Tampa Bay...
