Good afternoon from PNC Park where today the wait has ended. Gregory Polanco has arrived in Pittsburgh and will start tonight for the Pirates (30-33) as they take on the Cubs (25-36) in the second game of a four-game set. Francisco Liriano (1-6, 4.54 ERA) will face fellow lefty Travis Wood (5-5, 5.04 ERA). Hurdle's Quotes On tampering Polanco's emotions for his first ML game: "We'll have a small conversation. Similar to the one we had when he came to big league camp. Remind him that, here, ... Read More
What to expect from Gregory Polanco?
It took an appendectomy to Pittsburgh Pirates second baseman Neil Walker for it to finally happen, but the wait is finally over for prized prospect Gregory Polanco and Pirates' fans as Polanco will make his long awaited MLB debut on Tuesday against the Chicago Cubs. Since we now know that the Pirates won't wait until 2018 to promote Polanco, the only question remaining is what we should expect from him? It's always difficult predicting the fate of young players, but having gotten the ... Read More
Neil Walker to the 15-Day DL
Neil Walker has been placed on the 15-Day DL after undergoing an appendectomy on Monday afternoon. Prior to the surgery, Walker had been hitting .280/.452/.805 in 62 games with the Pirates while hitting eight doubles, 11 home runs and 35 RBI. Josh Harrison, Jordy Mercer and Clint Barmes are candidates to fill Walker's spot until he is able to return. Walker is expected to be out at least three weeks to a month for recovery. Stay tuned to PSN for updates on Walker's condition and ... Read More
Pirates Power Past Cubs 6-2
Charlie Morton received an extra day of rest since his previous start and it seemed to pay off as the righty pitched seven strong innings as the Pirates got the series-opening victory over the Cubs 6-2. Morton allowed one run on six hits -- two of which didn't go past the pitchers mound-- over his seven innings of work while striking out seven. The only Cubs run came in the sixth when Anthony Rizzo singled off of the glove of a diving Jordy Mercer with two out. Starlin Castro followed with a ... Read More
Pirates to Call Up Top Prospect Polanco
After months of speculation, the Pittsburgh Pirates have called up Gregory Polanco, the organizations No. 1 prospect. Polanco has arguably more hype surrounding him than any other prospect in the past decade-plus. Polanco was ranked as the No. 3 prospect in baseball, according to ESPN's Keith Law. The move was made after the team announced Neil Walker underwent an appendectomy this evening. The wait is over.... My dream has officially come true ⚾️ Pittsburgh, see you mañana!! — Gregory ... Read More
Pirates Gameday 6/9: Hurdle Discusses Morton’s Extra Day of Rest
Good afternoon from PNC Park where today the Pirates (29-33) look to rebound from the Brewers series as they begin a four-game set with the Cubs (25-35). Charlie Morton (2-7, 3.31 ERA) will once again face Edwin Jackson (4-5, 4.59 ERA). Hurdle's Quotes On Ike Davis facing Jackson instead of Gaby Sanchez as planned: "I went and looked at some more tape. Right-handed hitters against Jackson, left-handed hitters against Jackson, watched the at bats yesterday that Gaby took off of the right-hander ... Read More
Locke, Pirates Lose Tough One 1-0
Pittsburgh -- An Aramis Ramirez groundout in the seventh inning proved to be the only run the Brewers needed as bad luck bit the Pirates and Jeff Locke in a 1-0 loss on Sunday afternoon. Locke had a stellar day on the mound allowing the one run on three hits. He started off the game by retiring the first fourteen batters he faced before giving up two tough luck infield singles in the fourth. He then got Ramirez to fly out to end the inning. More bad luck struck the Pirates (29-33) in the ... Read More
Neal Huntington Comments on Cole’s Injury
Neal Huntington spoke to the media prior to Sunday afternoon's game with the Brewers about the condition of Gerrit Cole's arm injury that has placed him on the 15-day DL (retroactive to 6/4). Manager Clint Hurdle broke the news yesterday that Cole had "right shoulder fatigue" and Huntington confirmed the diagnosis today. "All the tests that we've done so far have confirmed shoulder fatigue and Gerrit feels good with it," said Huntington. "We feel good with it and we'll see how the ... Read More
PSN Video Cast: Brycen Spratling joins the fun, Polanco Watch
And we are LIVE! Join the crew as they have special guest Brycen Spratling of Pitt joining the show before he heads out to compete in Eugene, Oregon. The guys will name their player of the week, talk about the changes that the Penguins have made, Gregory Polanco's arrival, Big Ben's contract and more! Tweet your questions to get them answered on air! ... Read More
Pirate of the Week: Jordy Mercer
The Pittsburgh Pirates are trying to get back on track and they're on their way, winning three-of-five games this past week. All three wins have something in common: Jordy Mercery hit the ball. Mercer hit .409 this past week with two home runs, five RBIs and just two strikeouts. He also scored seven runs during the Pirates five games last week. In the three Pirates' wins, Mercer combined for eight hits in 14 at-bats for a .571 average, driving in all five of his RBIs and hitting both home ... Read More