Good afternoon from PNC Park where this evening the Pirates (59-52) begin an 8-game homestand against the Marlins (54-57). Charlie Morton (5-10, 3.54 ERA) will look for his first victory since July 2 against Brad Hand (2-3, 4.15 ERA).
Injury Update
Andrew McCutchen has been diagnosed with an “avulsion fracture involving the costochondral cartilage of the left 11th rib.” Meaning the cartilage of the rib was torn off. The team currently doesn’t plan on putting McCutchen on the 15-day DL because he may not need that much time to recover.
“Your choices are to put him on [the DL] early and have him sit 15 days or maybe get him back before then in a productive state.,” said manager Clint Hurdle. “We want to make sure we take care of him first and take care of what’s best for the team, as well.”
Gerrit Cole will be making his second rehab start at AAA Indianapolis tonight.
“We’re hoping he can give us six, seven up and down’s and 100 pitches,” said Hurdle. “Based off of the five and 81 that he was able to put out last time, he’s going to take the ball and go. We look forward to seeing how he performs.”
Starling Marte has been activated from the DL and will start tonight for the Pirates.
“He played the outfield [in AAA],” said Hurdle. “I think he had one hit in 12 at bats. No repercussions of any of the effects or what he was feeling physically. He seemed to be in a good place physically, so at least he got to see some pitches. He got to go out and play defense and we got him back in tow here and we’ll run him out to centerfield and see what he’s able to bring tonight.”
Pedro Alvarez was placed on the bereavement list today and is out of town with a personal issue. He will have to miss at least three games minimum and a max of seven.
Hurdle’s Quotes
On if what went on during the Arizona series could “galvanize” the team: “There’s a lot of different ways to galvanize a team. I think there’s tests that you have to meet throughout the season to show that you are a team. Those can happen during a game. Those could happen pregame where we had an incident here earlier this season. I just think that what you look for when those incidents arise that you stand up and you show up and we’ve been able to do that and meet that part of the challenge each and every time that it has happened.”
Other Notes
— The Pirates hit .336 (44-for-131) with four home runs and 18 runs scored while taking two-of-three from the Marlins earlier this season (June 13-15) in Miami.. The Pirates have won six straight games against the Marlins at PNC Park, with the pitching staff posting a 2.13 ERA (55 IP/ 13 ER) and the offense producing a .260 average (47-for-181) and five home runs.
— In their last three games, the Pirates have scored a total of 16 runs in the eighth and ninth innings.
— Jordy Mercer has gone 6-for-16 (.375) with three doubles and an RBI in five games from the second spot in the lineup this season. In 41 career games from the two hole, Mercer has gone 53-for-155 (.342) with 19 doubles, four home runs and 15 RBI.
Tonight’s Lineups
First pitch is set for 7:05.
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(Photo Credit: Getty Images)
