At this time last year, Marlon Byrd was a free agent sitting at home serving a 50-game suspension for a positive drug test and wondering if any team would pick him up. Before the suspension, Byrd was hitting .210 with one homer and seven RBI which didn't help his chances for 2013. One team would take the chance on him as the New York Mets picked him up on February 1 of this year and he wouldn't let them down as he turned back into the player that helped pace the Texas Rangers to three second ... Read More
Pirates Game Day: Hurdle Discusses Cole, Marte Update
The Pirates (77 - 55) look to get back into a tie for first as they face the Brewers (58 - 74) in the rubber match of the three game set. Gerrit Cole (6 - 6, 3.81 ERA) will oppose Yovani Gallardo (9 - 9, 4.61 ERA). Leading off John Buck will make his Pirates debut tonight as he will catch Cole and bat seventh. Hurdle's Quotes On the amount of players that will be brought up post-Sept. 1st -- "I think we're going to have a progression in place that we're going to have some guys added on ... Read More
Morton Strong In A Pirates 7 – 1 Victory
Charlie Morton continues to improve from Tommy John surgery as he threw 6 2/3 innings of one run (unearned) ball while Marlon Byrd hit a homer in his fourth at-bat as a Pirate in a 7 - 1 Bucco victory on Wednesday night. Morton experienced some trouble out of the gate, much like Locke did last night, as he allowed three base runners in the first. The outcome would be different, though, as he would get a fielders choice, caught stealing and a groundout to get out of the jam. From there, he ... Read More
Vic Black the PTBNL in Mets Trade, Locke/Sanchez Optioned to AA
A couple of moves have been made by the Pirates prior to tonight's game against the Brewers. They have optioned (C) Tony Sanchez and (LHP) Jeff Locke to AA Altoona to make room for Marlon Byrd and John Buck on the 25-man roster. “This move allows us to give Jeff Locke a short break,” said Senior Vice President, General Manager Neal Huntington. “It also allows Tony Sanchez to get back to the Major Leagues as soon as the rules permit us to do so. In addition, this gives us the opportunity to ... Read More
Pirates Game Day: Grilli Talks Rehab, Locke Optioned to AA
The Pirates (76 - 55) look to bounce back after last nights disappointing loss to the Brewers (58 - 73) in game two of this 3-game set. Charlie Morton (5 - 3, 3.42 ERA) will oppose former Pirate, Tom Gorzelanny (3 - 5, 3.60 ERA) Leading Off Marlon Byrd will make his first start as a Pirate tonight as he will bat in the cleanup spot and play right field. John Buck will be available off of the bench. To make room for these two on the 25-man roster, Tony Sanchez and Jeff Locke have been sent to ... Read More
Pirate Pitching Struggles In 7 – 6 Slugfest
In a game that went back-and-forth, combined for 28 total hits,10 total pitchers and involved one player on each team that went a combined 6-for-6 (Pedro went 4-for-4 with a homer and a walk) in 10 plate appearances, the Brewers were able to survive with a 7 - 6 victory over the Pirates on Tuesday night. Neil Walker was able to sum the whole thing up . "It was a strange game, it was. Back-and-forth, back-and-forth." The struggle began against Locke, who was good over the first four innings ... Read More
Pirates Gameday: NH, Hurdle Talk Locke, Trade, Marte Update
The Pirates (76 - 54) return to PNC to begin the second-to-last homestand of the season as they take on the Milwaukee Brewers (57 - 73). Jeff Locke (9 - 4, 3.01 ERA) will look to get back to pre-all-star break form as he faces Kyle Lohse (9 - 8, 3.22 ERA). Leading off Today, the Pirates traded Dilson Herrera and a player to be named later to the Mets for Marlon Byrd and John Buck, the two should be in Pittsburgh for tomorrow's game. Neal Huntington's Quotes On the Trade -- "We've been ... Read More
Pirates Acquire Marlon Byrd and John Buck From The Mets
The Pittsburgh Pirates today announced that they have acquired outfielder Marlon Byrd, catcher John Buck and cash consideration from the New York Mets in exchange for minor league infielder Dilson Herrera and a player to be named later. The announcement was made by Senior Vice President, General Manager Neal Huntington. Byrd hit .285 (121-for-425) with 26 doubles, five triples, 21 home runs and 71 RBI in 117 games with the Mets. Byrd, who will turn 36 on Friday, is hitting .311 with 11 doubles, ... Read More
Wandy Rodriguez Experiences Another Setback
The Pirates have announced that Wandy Rodriguez experienced a further setback as he experienced pain during his simulated game today. He will meet with Dr. James Andrews next week. Rodriguez had a 6 - 4 record in 12 starts while posting a 3.59 ERA with 46 strikeouts and 12 walks. He was forced from his start in Atlanta on June 5th with left forearm tightness. It is unlikely, now, that he will be back on the roster this season. Other Injury News: Jason Grilli threw 25 pitches off of a ... Read More
MLB Playoff Update Week 1
Hey kids, it that time of the year again where I go over the MLB playoff races. (Yay!) Every Monday I will update the divisional and wild card races and set you up for the week to come. With that, let's get started. NOTE: All Standings in the update are by loss column as at the end of the season each team in contention will have played the same number of games. AL East The Yankees are hanging around in the race after taking 2-of-3 from the Red Sox and 7 of their last 10. Tampa Bay and ... Read More