Henry Davis earns Opening Day start at catcher for Pirates, Connor Joe to bat leadoff at Marlins
Henry Davis, the No. 1 overall pick of the 2021 MLB Draft, will make the first start behind the plate of his major league career Thursday for the Pittsburgh Pirates on Opening Day in Miami.
Davis is one of two Pirates players, along with second baseman Jared Triolo, making their Opening Day debuts. Two others, first baseman Rowdy Tellez and center fielder Michael A. Taylor, are making their Pirates debuts after signing as free agents.
Davis took advantage of Endy Rodriguez undergoing offseason surgery on his right elbow to mover back to his natural position after starting 49 games in right field last season. With Yasmani Grandal on the 10-day injured list because of plantar fasciitis in his left foot, Davis used a strong spring training to win the starting job.
Triolo won the starting job at second base by beating out Liover Peguero, Nick Gonzales and Ji Hwan Bae, who was placed on the 10-day injured list.
Connor Joe gets the nod over Jack Suwinski, as Pirates go heavy on right-handed hitters against Marlins lefty Jesus Luzardo on Opening Day. pic.twitter.com/m28Dxv0erp
— Kevin Gorman (@KevinGormanPGH) March 28, 2024
Connor Joe got the nod over Jack Suwinski in the Pirates’ starting lineup as manager Derek Shelton opted for a batting order loaded with right-handed bats against Miami Marlins left-hander Jesus Luzardo.
Joe will bat leadoff and play right field, followed by Bryan Reynolds in left, NL Gold Glove winner Ke’Bryan Hayes at third base, Andrew McCutchen at designated hitter, Davis, Oneil Cruz at shortstop, Triolo, Tellez and Taylor, with All-Star right-hander Mitch Keller on the mound.
McCutchen is one home run shy of hitting 300 for his career.
The Marlins’ lineup features the returning NL batting champion in second baseman Luis Arraez, followed by first baseman Josh Bell, designated hitter Bryan De La Cruz, center fielder Jazz Chisholm Jr., third baseman Jake Burger, right fielder Jesus Sanchez, shortstop Tim Anderson, left fielder Nick Gordon, catcher Nick Fortes and Luzardo.
Kevin Gorman is a TribLive reporter covering the Pirates. A Baldwin native and Penn State graduate, he joined the Trib in 1999 and has covered high school sports, Pitt football and basketball and was a sports columnist for 10 years. He can be reached at kgorman@triblive.com.
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