Justin Guerriero stories, Page 14
Pirates shut out for 10th time, squandering 8-inning gem from Paul Skenes
This season, the Pittsburgh Pirates have showcased a remarkable propensity for wasting quality starts and otherwise solid outings by their rotation thanks to minimal offensive production. During his final start of May, Paul Skenes experienced a departure from that norm, when the Pirates plated 10 runs behind him. However, Tuesday...
Pirates reinstate INF Nick Gonzales from IL, recall RHP Kyle Nicolas from Triple-A
The Pittsburgh Pirates ended the rehabilitation assignment of infielder Nick Gonzales and activated him from the 60-day injured list Tuesday, the club announced. To make room for Gonazles on the 26- and 40-man rosters, infielder Nick Solak had his contract assigned outright to Triple-A Indianapolis. In addition, reliever Kyle Nicolas...
Pirates claim utilityman Ronny Simon from Marlins, DFA reliever Tanner Rainey
The Pittsburgh Pirates claimed infielder/outfielder Ronny Simon off waivers from the Miami Marlins on Monday afternoon. Simon, 25, was immediately optioned to Triple-A Indianapolis. In a corresponding transaction, reliever Tanner Rainey was designated for assignment, creating a spot for Simon on the 40-man roster. Simon made his MLB debut with...
Pirates prospect watch: Greensboro’s Esmerlyn Valdez pacing all of High-A in homers
Esmerlyn Valdez Position: OF/1B Height: 6-foot-2 Weight: 181 pounds Level: High-A Greensboro International free agent signings are often hit or miss. In the case of young Latin American ballplayers who ink contracts with MLB clubs, it can be a slow burn to find out exactly what kind of skill set...
The week ahead: Pirates to host Astros, Phillies at PNC Park
Here’s a look at the Pirates upcoming homestand: vs. Astros 6:40 p.m. Tuesday (SN PIT) 6:40 p.m. Wednesday (SN PIT) 6:40 p.m. Thursday (SN PIT) • Injuries continue to decimate the Houston Astros’ pitching staff as righty Ronel Blanco was recently lost for the season and will undergo Tommy John...
Pirates reliever Caleb Ferguson looks to stabilize following bumpy May
Upon joining the Pittsburgh Pirates as a free agent in January, Caleb Ferguson had a simple message to management and the front office. “I told them on Day 1 that there’s 27 outs — I want to help you get as many of them as I can, and I don’t...
Pirates’ Alexander Canario finds swing with increased playing time under Don KellyVideo
One notable development for the Pittsburgh Pirates in the Don Kelly era has been Alexander Canario’s emergence as an everyday player. Canario, 25, was traded to Pittsburgh from the New York Mets in late March, and over the next few weeks, he failed to make much of an impression. In...
Pirates erupt for 10 runs, reward dominant Paul Skenes with 1st win since April 25
Pulling off an epic comeback late Tuesday night set up the Pittsburgh Pirates for a series victory against the Arizona Diamondbacks on Wednesday afternoon. Paul Skenes was the man entrusted to facilitate that result at Chase Field, with Skenes riding a streak of four consecutive quality starts, (none of which...
Pirates catcher Joey Bart sidelined with concussion; Endy Rodriguez activated from injured list
The Pittsburgh Pirates placed catcher Joey Bart on the seven-day concussion injured list Wednesday afternoon ahead of their series finale in Phoenix against the Arizona Diamondbacks. Bart started Tuesday’s contest, a 9-6 comeback win for the Pirates, but took a backswing to the helmet in the fourth inning. In the...
After red-hot start in minors, Nick Solak trying to make most of opportunities with Pirates
As a manager who enjoyed a playing career of nearly a decade, Don Kelly can relate closely to those on the Pittsburgh Pirates roster whom he now leads. Nothing came guaranteed to Kelly during his MLB days as he was designated for assignment a total of nine times. Like he...
Pirates score 9 unanswered runs to beat Diamondbacks for stunning comeback win
The Pittsburgh Pirates were shut out for the MLB-leading ninth time in 55 games (constituting 16% of their season) Monday night in Phoenix against the Diamondbacks. For much of Tuesday’s contest at Chase Field, it looked as if shutout No. 10 of the season might be forthcoming for the Pirates....
Pirates prospect Braxton Ashcraft shines in big-league debutVideo
Braxton Ashcraft appeared as a reliever only twice in 71 career minor-league appearances. But upon being called up to the Pittsburgh Pirates from Triple-A Indianapolis on Monday, manager Don Kelly indicated Ashcraft would begin his time with the big-league club out of the bullpen. As it turned out Monday, the...
Andrew Heaney allows 5 runs as Diamondbacks shut out Pirates
Pittsburgh Pirates manager Don Kelly recently received a compliment from his Milwaukee Brewers counterpart, Pat Murphy, as the two clubs battled over the weekend at PNC Park. “The Pirates have been playing good baseball,” Murphy said. “Playing good defense, playing better in so many aspects … They’re playing loose, they’re...
Pirates top-10 prospect Braxton Ashcraft makes MLB debut vs. DiamondbacksVideo
The same day he was called up from Triple-A Indianapolis, Pittsburgh Pirates No. 7 overall prospect Braxton Ashcraft made his MLB debut Monday night in Phoenix against the Arizona Diamondbacks. Ashcraft, 25, took over for starter Andrew Heaney in the sixth inning with the Pirates behind 5-0. He struck out...
Pirates promote pitcher Braxton Ashcraft, team’s No. 7 prospect, from Triple-A
The Pittsburgh Pirates promoted No. 7 overall prospect and right-handed pitcher Braxton Ashcraft to the big leagues Monday. Ashcraft, 25, joined the Pirates from Triple-A Indianapolis ahead of their three-game series against the Arizona Diamondbacks and would be in line to make his MLB debut. Per MLB.com, he’ll work out...
The week ahead: Pirates head west to face Diamondbacks, Padres
at Diamondbacks 8:10 p.m. Monday (SN PIT) 9:40 p.m. Tuesday (SN PIT) 3:40 p.m. Wednesday (SN PIT) • Aside from the historically inept Colorado Rockies, the NL West is among the most competitive divisions in baseball. The Arizona Diamondbacks are trying to keep pace with the Padres, Giants and Dodgers....
Pirates prospect watch: No. 11 prospect Jack Brannigan finding ways to get on base
Jack Brannigan Position: SS/3B Height: 6-foot Weight: 210 pounds Level: Double-A As he approaches two months at Double-A with the Altoona Curve, Jack Brannigan’s slash line (.238/.335/.385) hasn’t been particularly eye-popping. However, the 24-year-old infielder has shown some signs of acclimation at the plate as he gets settled against stiffer...
After strong Paul Skenes start, Pirates scramble past Brewers in wild, 10-inning win
Pittsburgh Pirates manager Don Kelly was only kidding following his club’s 6-5 walk-off win in 10 innings Friday night at PNC Park against the Milwaukee Brewers. Yet the first remark he made meeting with reporters after the 3-hour, 35-minute game captured the roller coaster that was Friday’s contest, with the...
Andrew Heaney, bullpen sharp as Pirates beat Reds to win series
An unfortunate streak for the Pittsburgh Pirates refuses to die. Not in 26 games, dating to April 22, has the team managed to score more than four runs, making it the longest such stretch in franchise history. Far more often than not over the past month, the result of such...
Bailey Falter delivers gem as Pirates offense does just enough to top Reds
One run and six hits have hardly constituted the necessary offensive ingredients of late for the Pittsburgh Pirates, who are riding the longest streak of consecutive games with four or fewer runs scored in franchise history. While that stretch reached 25 straight games Tuesday at PNC Park, Bailey Falter was...
Pirates place reliever Colin Holderman on 15-day IL, recall Isaac Mattson from Triple-A
The Pittsburgh Pirates placed right-handed reliever Colin Holderman on the 15-day injured list with right thumb inflammation and pain, manager Don Kelly said Tuesday afternoon at PNC Park. To add bullpen depth, righty Isaac Mattson was called up from Triple-A Indianapolis Tuesday before the Pirates hosted the Cincinnati Reds. Infielder...
Pirates special adviser Gene Lamont aims to be straight shooter with new manager Don KellyVideo
As he considered coming out of retirement to join the Pittsburgh Pirates as a special adviser to manager Don Kelly, Gene Lamont needed Kelly to get two things straight. No. 1, Kelly, who’s been ejected twice through his first eight games as skipper, would need to refrain from getting tossed...
Pirates prospect watch: Nick Solak was among best hitters in International League
Prospect Watch Nick Solak Position: OF/2B Height: 5-foot-10 Weight: 185 pounds Level: Triple-A Aware of the offensive damage he’s been doing at Triple-A Indianapolis this season, the Pittsburgh Pirates gave Nick Solak a call-up before Friday’s game at Philadelphia. Solak, 30, leads the International League in batting average (.382), is...
The week ahead: Pirates welcome Reds, Brewers for homestand
The week ahead vs. Reds 6:40 p.m. Monday (SN PIT) 6:40 p.m. Tuesday (SN PIT) 12:35 p.m. Wednesday (SN PIT) • The Pirates begin a seven-game homestand with three games against Cincinnati. So far this season, the Reds have had tough luck in extra innings. Seven clubs across MLB have...
Former manager Gene Lamont named special adviser to Pirates’ Don Kelly
The Pittsburgh Pirates announced a series of coaching additions to their major-league staff Friday, as new manager Don Kelly gets settled on the job. Former manager Gene Lamont is joining the Pirates as a special adviser to Kelly, and Triple-A Indianapolis manager Chris Truby has been added to the major-league...
