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
Gerrit Cole to the 15-Day DL
Gerrit Cole has been placed on the 15-day DL (retroactive to June 4th) and will miss at least two scheduled starts with "right shoulder fatigue". The possibility of the DL stint was brought up by manager Clint Hurdle after yesterday afternoon's 9-3 loss to the Brewers. "Yes, but other than that, just because you want to make sure you're protecting a guy, so the conversation is being had," said Hurdle. "I think fatigue is the proper word and if you look at the season he pitched last year. The ... Read More
Brewers Beat Bucs 9-3
The Brewers took advantage of Edinson Volquez's lone bad inning and pulled away against the Pirates bullpen for a 9-3 victory on Saturday afternoon. The Brewers (37-26) struck first in the first when Jean Segura reached on a Jordy Mercer fielding error and moved to third on two Ike Davis errors. Jonathan Lucroy the knocked him with a sac fly to center field. The Pirates struck back to take the lead in the third after Neil Walker and Andrew McCutchen hit one-out singles. Following a Davis ... Read More
Locke to Make Spot Start
Jeff Locke will be called up from AAA Indianapolis to start either Sunday in the series finale against the Brewers or Monday in the series opener against the Cubs. "Our intentions are to bring Locke in," said manager Clint Hurdle. "Cole has shoulder fatigue and our intentions are to potentially start Locke tomorrow and move Charlie back a day. Our intentions are to do that, so that's the way we're thinking of doing that right now." Locke was scratched from his start at Indianapolis on ... Read More
Pirates Gameday 6/7: Locke Scratched from AAA Start
Good afternoon from PNC Park where the Pirates (29-31) look to continue their climb up the NL Central standings against the Brewers (36-26). Edinson Volquez (3-4, 4.25ERA) will oppose Matt Garza (3-4, 4.42 ERA). -- Jeff Locke was scratched from his start in AAA Indianapolis last night. Manager Clint Hurdle says the team is "working through" their short term rotation plans. Tomorrow is supposed to be Charlie Morton's spot in the rotation and Gerrit Cole is supposed to go on Monday, ... Read More
Pirates Blow by Brewers 15-5
Pittsburgh -- The Pirates used an eight-run sixth inning to pull away from the Brewers 15-5 on Friday night at PNC. The Pirates (29-31) got two runs on the board right off the bat with RBI by Andrew McCutchen and Russell Martin. McCutchen would add a solo-home run in the third to push the lead to 3-0. The Brewers (36-26) bounced back off of Pirates starter Brandon Cumpton in the fourth. Jonathan Lucroy singled with one out and Carlos Gomez followed with a double setting up second and ... Read More
Pirates Gameday 6/6: Hurdle Talks Tabata’s Hot Bat vs. Lohse, Marte Update
Good afternoon from PNC Park where tonight the Pirates (28-31) begin a pivotal three-game series with the Brewers (36-25), who are seven games ahead of the Bucs for first place in the NL Central. Brandon Cumpton (0-2, 6.85 ERA) will take the hill and will face Kyle Lohse (7-1, 2.60 ERA). Hurdle's Quotes On Jose Tabata starting in LF tonight: "It because Tabata has had a really good history hitting [Lohse] if you have looked at his numbers. It's not 12 at bats, it's 33 at bats, it's 14 hits, ... Read More