Good afternoon from PNC Park where the Pirates (63-55) look to sweep the Pittsburgh portion of a four-game home-and-home series with the Tigers(63-53). Edinson Volquez (9-7, 3.70 ERA) will take the hill and oppose Robbie Ray (1-1, 4.70 ERA). Player Updates The Pirates have recalled Brandon Cumpton from AAA Indianapolis and has sent Casey Sadler back to AAA. Cumpton will pitch out of the bullpen. Neil Walker is unavailable on the bench once again, but manager Clint Hurdle continues to see ... Read More
Pirates Gameday 8/11: Hurdle discusses Pedro at first
Good afternoon from PNC Park where the Pirates (62-55) look to right the ship against the Tigers (63-52). Jeff Locke (3-3, 3.78 ERA) will look to keep the Bucs in it against Justin Verlander (10-10, 4.57 ERA). Hurdle's Quotes On Pedro at first : "He's working his backside off to find a level of comfort to go ahead and say 'okay, I'm ready to go over there in a Major League game.', so I think we're really close to that. He's putting the work in and we're appreciative of it and there will be a ... Read More
Pirates Gameday 8/8: Pedro practicing at first, Hurdle previews the Padres
Good afternoon from PNC Park where the Pirates (61-53) look to continue their winning ways against the Padres (52-61). Vance Worley (4-1, 2.43 ERA) will take the hill against Ian Kennedy (8-9, 3.59 ERA). Player Update Neil Walker took grounders and BP today with the team. "I think he feels better today," said manager Clint Hurdle. "We need him to get to the point where we can get him on the field. He took grounders yesterday, but he didn't take swings. We're going to see if he can do both ... Read More
Pirates Gameday 8/7: Hurdle discusses pitching, Cutch/Walker injury update
Good afternoon from PNC Park where tonight the Pirates (60-53) look to take a series from the Marlins (55-58). Edinson Volquez (8-7, 3.91 ERA) will take the hill and oppose Brian Flynn (0-0, 6.00 ERA). Injury Update Neil Walker remains an emergency-only bench player for tonight's game. "He felt better today and was treated this afternoon," said manager Clint Hurdle. "He received treatment when he got to the park. He's going to try and do some more mobility stuff, some flexibility stuff. He ... Read More
Pirates Gameday 8/6: Cole Update, Hurdle discusses playing with 23
Good afternoon from PNC Park where the Pirates (59-53) look to bounce back from last night's late inning loss to the Marlins (55-57) in the second game of a three-game set. Jeff Locke (2-3, 3.77 ERA) will oppose Tom Koehler (7-8, 3.70 ERA). Injury Update Neil Walker is not in today's lineup after leaving last night's game with a stiff back. "Based on the way he responded last night, there was some tightening up," said manager Clint Hurdle. ":We thought we would give him another full day of ... Read More
Pirates Gameday 8/5: Injury Update, Hurdle discusses galvanization
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 ... Read More
Polanco is still adjusting to the big leagues
Gregory Polanco has been in the big leagues for more than a month and while he had one of the more successful starts a prospect could have after making the jump -- .288/.374/.749 with two home runs, 10 RBI and 11 walks in June --, he has cooled down as pitchers have learned how to throw to him and Polanco has tried to adjust. What most overlook though, is a rookie not only has to adjust to the pace and play on the field, but the everyday occurrences that go on before and after the game. ... Read More
Pirates Gameday 7/23: Injury update, Hurdle discusses OBP
Good afternoon from PNC Park where the Pirates (53-47) look to take the series against the Dodgers (56-46). Francisco Liriano (1-7, 4.43 ERA) will oppose Dan Haren (8-7, 4.30 ERA). Injury Update -- Starling Marte is not in tonight's starting lineup and is not listed as a player off the bench. He is currently undergoing concussion testing. If he fails those tests, he will be placed on the 7-day concussion DL and Brent Morel will be called up from AAA Indianapolis. "We're still going through ... Read More
Pirates Gameday 7/22: Cutch makes a child’s wish come true
Good afternoon from PNC Park where this evening the Pirates (52-47) take on the Dodgers (56-45). Vance Worley (2-1, 3.38 ERA) will face Josh Beckett (6-5, 2.26 ERA). -- This afternoon the Pirates and All-Star Andrew McCutchen, in partnership with with Make-A-Wish, will welcome Matthew Beichner to PNC Park. Mathew is a 12-year-old boy from Colorado Springs, Co., who has been diagnosed with germinoma and his wish is to meet and have lunch in centerfield with his hero, McCutchen. The Pirates ... Read More
Pirates Gameday 7/21: Hurdle discusses Polanco, Walker
Good afternoon from PNC Park where the Pirates (52-46) look to add onto their three-game win streak against the Dodgers (55-45). Edinson Volquez (8-6, 3.65 ERA) will face Hyun-Jun Ryu (10-5, 3.44 ERA). Injury Update -- Gerrit Cole will throw a sim game on Wednesday at PNC Park. One inning with a screen and three without a screen. "We're going to try to get him to 50-55 pitches, maybe 60," said manager Clint Hurdle. -- Starling Marte is in tonight's starting lineup after pinch-hitting last ... Read More