March 19
Pittsburgh Tribune Review
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GM Neal Huntington didn't offer a specific timetable for when Pedro Alvarez and Jose Tabata should make the final step up to Pittsburgh, but indicated neither player is very far away. "Both showed some things to really be excited about this spring," Huntington said this morning, after Alvarez and Tabata were optioned to Triple-A Indy. "But both also showed there's some development left. In Pedro's case, he's going to get everybody's left-handed situational guy, so the left-on-left approach (at the plate) is going to be really important for his big-picture future success. In Jose's case, just continued maturation and development, the focus from pitch to pitch, which is a challenge at times ..."
March 19
Pittsburgh Tribune Review
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The Pirates this morning optioned two of their top prospects ? third baseman Pedro Alvarez and outfielder Jose Tabata ? to Triple-A Indianapolis. But if not for an MLB roster deadline, both players would still be in the big league spring training camp. Today is the last day players without major league experience who are on the 40-man roster may be optioned and not risk burning a year of major league service time if they are seriously injured. Alvarez and Tabata both are on the 40-man roster. Outfielder Gorkys Hernandez and pitcher Brad Lincoln, who were optioned out last week, also fall into this category. Neil Walker was in the same position last spring. "This is a situation where the ..."
March 19
Pittsburgh Tribune Review
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The Pirates this morning optioned two of their top prospects — third baseman Pedro Alvarez and outfielder Jose Tabata — to Triple-A Indianapolis. But if not for an MLB roster deadline, both players would still be in the big league spring training camp. Today is the last day players without major league experience who are on the 40-man roster may be optioned and not risk burning a year of major league service time if they are seriously injured. Alvarez and Tabata both are on the 40-man roster. Outfielder Gorkys Hernandez and pitcher Brad Lincoln, who were optioned out last week, also fall into this category. Neil Walker was in the same position last spring."
March 19
Pittsburgh Tribune Review
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Closer Octavio Dotel (strained left oblique) will make his Pirates debut Sunday against the Tampa Bay Rays. Dotel reported no problems Thursday after throwing 24 pitches in a minor-league game. It was the first game this spring for Dotel, who was injured Feb. 21 during a bullpen session. • Catcher Jason Jaramillo was shaken up in the first inning yesterday against the Twins. "I kind of slipped and bounced a slider, and it bounced up and hit him," pitcher Ross Ohlendorf said. Jaramillo spent a few moments on his knees, then made a quick recovery. In the second, Jaramillo lifted a solo homer, his first of the spring, to right field. • Jeff Clement mashed his first homer, a solo shot to ..."
March 19
Pittsburgh Tribune Review
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Reliever Jack Taschner has pitched in 202 games in the majors over the past five seasons. He's won more games than he has lost and racked up more strikeouts than walks. For a middle reliever, it's a decent track record. But Taschner, 31, wants more. "My career numbers are very average," Taschner said. "I always felt like I had more in there. I think my stuff is -- not that I'm a closer or anything -- but it's definitely better than a career 5.00 (ERA)." Taschner pitched well in 24 outings for the Philadelphia Phillies last season - a 1-1 record and a 4.91 ERA - but he was not added to their playoff roster. He became a free agent in November and signed with the Pirates on Dec. 23. The day ..."
March 19
Pittsburgh Tribune Review
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Ross Ohlendorf expects to enjoy the final two weeks of spring training. "The whole time you're trying to do well," Ohlendorf said. "But it's more fun now because it's more like the regular season." "We get to face a lineup multiple times. You worry more about pitch efficiency. Early in spring training, you're pitching more like a reliever. It's a different mindset. I like getting stretched out more." Thursday, Ohlendorf worked four innings in the Pirates' 5-4 loss against the Minnesota Twins. The right-hander allowed two runs on four hits, walked two, struck out two and hit a batter."
March 18
Pittsburgh Tribune Review
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There is not much left for Steve Pearce to prove in the minor leagues. At Triple-A Indianapolis last season, Pearce set career highs in practically every offensive category. He polished his defensive skills at first base and in right field. He'll never lead the league in steals, but Pearce won't embarrass himself on the basepaths, either. "It's time for him to move forward," Pirates manager John Russell said. But to where? And how? The Pirates' long-term plans at the two positions Pearce plays don't appear to involve him. The goal of The Jeff Clement Experiment this spring is to get another lefty-hitting power bat in the lineup. If Clement does not win the first base job, Garrett Jones, ..."
March 18
Pittsburgh Tribune Review
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Despite another ragged performance, Kevin Hart remains in the Pirates' starting rotation plans. Hart walked six of the 12 batters he faced Thursday in the Pirates' 6-3 loss against the Detroit Tigers. The right-hander lasted just 1 2/3 innings, yielded one run on one hit and hit one batter. Of Hart 53 pitches, only 19 were strikes. He reached three-ball counts on nine batters. "You take it and learn from it," Hart said. "But I'd like to start seeing some results on the field. I don't have time to be battling this all spring.""
March 17
Pittsburgh Tribune Review
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Ronny Cedeno (hand laceration) took batting practice in the cages this morning and reported no problems. "It feels much better," Cedeno said. Cedeno was injured Sunday and did not work out Monday. Tuesday was an off day for the team. - Closer Octavio Dotel (strained oblique) will pitch one inning Thursday in a minor league game at Pirate City. It will be his first outing this spring."
March 17
Pittsburgh Tribune Review
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In a season with far more negatives than positives, Garrett Jones offered Pirates fans a reason to get excited when little else did in 2009. In the weeks during and following the trades of fan favorites Nate McLouth, Jack Wilson and Freddy Sanchez, Jones was a bright spot. In just his second start with the Pirates, the rookie fell a single shy of hitting for the cycle and went on to homer seven times in his first 12 games. He led all major-league players with 10 home runs in July and was named the NL Rookie of the Month. "I really didn't stop and think I was having success or anything," Jones said. "I was just going about it, trying to do damage that day, trying to do the best I could and ..."
March 16
Pittsburgh Tribune Review
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Two similar lineups, two different results. The Pirates used essentially their starting lineup against the Yankees on Sunday and knocked in 10 runs, including three against ace CC Sabathia. Despite having virtually the same lineup against the Phillies on Monday, they struggled at the plate, losing 5-1 with just four hits. Three of their hits and their only run came against starter Roy Halladay, who went five innings with two walks and six strikeouts. "It goes in cycles," manager John Russell said of the offense. "The guy on the mound had a little bit to do with it (Monday), too. But you'll see that in spring training. Some days there will be 15, 20 hits, and the next day it'll be three. ..."
March 16
Pittsburgh Tribune Review
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Brad Lincoln knows he's close. The fourth overall pick in 2006, the Pirates' right-handed pitcher said he feels it's only a matter of time before he makes it to the major leagues. General manager Neal Huntington seems to agree. But if making it ? and making it for good ? means a little more seasoning in Triple-A Indianapolis, where Lincoln was optioned Monday, he's OK with that. "I feel like I'm right on the verge," he said. "It's just one of those things where I have to polish some things, master a little more, maybe get a little more education. Once I do get up, I want to be prepared to the fullest. And once I get up, I want to be up to stay." Lincoln, who had an outside shot at landing ..."
March 15
Pittsburgh Tribune Review
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The first steps for Pirates pitcher Charlie Morton were getting a feel for the mound again and assessing where he was with his pitches and how he felt. That out of the way, Morton went out against the New York Yankees on Sunday with a new goal in mind. "Now it's increasingly more me being competitive," said Morton, who earned his first win in the Pirates' 10-5 victory, their second in a row over the Yankees. "I'm somewhere in the middle. Hopefully another start or two, I'll be full-throttle." Morton held the Yankees, whose lineup included leadoff hitter Derek Jeter, to just one hit and no runs in four innings, walking one and striking out four."
March 14
Pittsburgh Tribune Review
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Jose Tabata sits in a quiet corner of the Pirates' clubhouse at McKechnie Field, resting his hands and chin on the knob end of his bat. He plugs earphones into his iPod, closes his eyes and smiles. "He's a quiet guy, a simple guy," said shortstop Ronny Cedeno, sitting at the locker to Tabata's left. "He won't talk to you too much, but he can be a funny guy. I like him. He's a good kid." A first-time visitor might never suspect Tabata, a shy, fresh-faced outfielder from Venezuela, is one of the top prospects in the Pirates' farm system. And his friendly, mellow demeanor gives no hint of the maelstrom that has swirled around him much of his young career. The were the flareups of frustration ..."
March 14
Pittsburgh Tribune Review
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Weather presented challenges for the Pirates at spring training this week. On Thursday at McKechnie Field, winds were a steady 25-30 miles per hour and gusting up to 40 miles per hour, picking up balls and pushing them toward center field, much to the joy of batters and to the chagrin of pitchers and outfielders. Then Friday, the team drove two hours to Orlando, Fla., in a driving rain to sit through three rain delays and play three innings over three hours before returning to Bradenton. But at the end of the day, it's still Florida, and Florida is not Ottawa. "Definitely snow and sleet, blowing real hard, about 35-40 degrees, and it was just sleeting the whole game," Pirates outfielder ..."
March 14
Pittsburgh Tribune Review
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Left-hander Paul Maholm hasn't had it easy this spring with his first two starts against the New York Yankees and his third Saturday against the Boston Red Sox at City of Palms Park. "Just the luck of the draw," he said. "But it's good. You know they're going to put up good at-bats against you, and it's a good challenge. It's what you want to get going and get ready for the season." Maholm can certainly walk away pleased with his work against the Red Sox, giving up just one hit and no runs with two strikeouts and 24 of 47 pitches for strikes in three innings. "For two out of three outings to go well, I'll take it," said Maholm, who had to do damage control in his last start after his ..."
March 13
Pittsburgh Tribune Review
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Orlando is home to the Magic Kingdom, so maybe the Atlanta Braves and, later, the umpires presiding over Friday's game against the Pirates hoped some of that enchantment would drift over to Champion Field. Perhaps they thought the rain saturating the state of Florida and prompting the cancellation of every other Grapefruit League game yesterday would magically disappear. Like in a Disney cartoon, the clouds would vanish, the sun would triumphantly reappear and someone would sing Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Da. Or maybe they just thought it was October, not March. In any case, it was game on in the land of the mouse ? for a little while, anyway. The contest was called just shy of three hours after its ..."
March 12
Pittsburgh Tribune Review
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Outfielder Brandon Jones got his first at-bats of the Grapefruit League season on Monday, popping out twice and grounding into a double-play. Perhaps it wasn't the most auspicious start, but for a guy eager for a fresh start with a new team, it was just good to get to the plate. "I was really anxious to swing the bat," said Jones, the 26-year-old outfielder the Pirates claimed off waivers from the Atlanta Braves on Jan. 19. "I'd probably seen two live pitches since I've been here. Basically, I was just trying to see some pitches and get comfortable at the plate and try not to strike out." In 2008, Jones was coming off a promising year in the minors as the Player of the Year for Double-A ..."
March 12
Pittsburgh Tribune Review
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Pirates closer Octavio Dotel, who on Tuesday threw off the mound for the first time this spring, had another good session on Thursday. The 36-year-old righty, who is recovering from a strained oblique muscle, said before yesterday's session that he planned to push it a little more than on Tuesday, when he threw 31 pitches, all fastballs. "I'm going to try to go between 80 and 90 percent and see how it feels," he said. "If it feels good, I'm pretty sure I might change the schedule we've got. But if I feel OK, I might just stay on the schedule we've got." He ended up throwing 41 pitches, including 12 breaking balls, in a session that pitching coach Joe Kerrigan said went "extremely well." ..."
March 11
Pittsburgh Tribune Review
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Neil Walker was at McKechnie Field on Monday in a split-squad game against the Yankees when Pedro Alvarez was in Port Charlotte, Fla., hitting a triple for the second game in a row. By all accounts, Alvarez's triple was a blast, a 410-foot shot that short-hopped the center-field fence in the seventh inning. Another Alvarez clout to roughly the same place was caught. A year ago, that might have sent any number of thoughts steamrolling through Walker's head, especially given his own walk and groundout in his two at-bats. None of them would have been good, and none of them would have helped. This year, the thoughts are still there. Only now, he's handling them better. "I'd be lying if I said ..."
March 11
Pittsburgh Tribune Review
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Not all decisions made late at night prove to be good ones, but Daniel McCutchen got the result he wanted Wednesday in the Pirates' 3-2 loss to Baltimore at McKechnie Field. "I know I said I was working on my curveball, but I was lying in bed (Tuesday) night and I decided to bag the curveball and start throwing a slider," McCutchen said. "I threw it (yesterday), and it was good." So good, in fact, that he just may stick with it for the season. "We'll see," said last year's team MVP with Triple-A Indianapolis. "If my slider is like it was (yesterday), I'll be fine with just that. I got some outs with the slider. It's a breaking pitch, and that's what I'm looking for." McCutchen, 27, pitched ..."
March 10
Pittsburgh Tribune Review
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When Ronny Cedeno gets angry with himself, he sometimes takes his mind off the game in front of him. Cedeno would strike out or pop up, then sulk all the way back to the dugout. When the inning ended, he'd still be sulking. And when he went back on the field to play shortstop, he'd sulk some more. That's when Cedeno would become a ground ball magnet ? and make costly blunders. "Simple errors," Cedeno said, shaking his head. "Sometimes, when I get (upset), it seems they always hit the ground ball to me. I've got to concentrate and make the play. "I want to help the team. I've got to make the routine ground ball (plays). I've got to separate my offensive game and my defense. I want to get my ..."
March 10
Pittsburgh Tribune Review
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Offense doesn't always come easy for the Pirates, especially against the World Series champions. In their first two games against the New York Yankees this spring, the Pirates totaled four hits, including just one in a split-squad loss Monday in Bradenton, Fla. But the Pirates equaled that and then some with a 15-hit performance Tuesday, as they beat C.C. Sabathia and the Yankees, 12-7, at George M. Steinbrenner Field. "We're starting to swing the bat," Pirates manager John Russell said. "Guys are starting to get more comfortable. (Ronny) Cedeno's been working on some things, and he's starting to come around. Andy (LaRoche) is starting to swing a little better, and we're starting to do ..."
March 9
Pittsburgh Tribune Review
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Paul Maholm was slated to pitch three innings Monday against the New York Yankees, but he lasted only two in the Pirates' 6-0 loss. "I didn't do myself any favors by falling behind almost every guy that came up there in the first," Maholm said. "I had too much energy and was trying to overthrow. My mechanics were just off, and I didn't feel like the rhythm was there. "I kept missing on my sinker, which I need to make sure is there every game because it's one of my main pitches. My offspeed was fine; I threw a couple good changeups." The Yankees brought four marquee players down from Tampa for the split-squad game. All four of them reached base to start the contest. Singles by Derek Jeter ..."
March 9
Pittsburgh Tribune Review
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It's a good thing the Pirates aren't in the AL East. If they were, they'd see a lot more of Alfredo Aceves. Aceves, who's considered an outsider in the battle for the Yankees' No. 5 starter job, pitched four perfect innings in a 6-0 victory today against the Pirates. Aceves struck out three and threw just 36 pitches. "He throws a lot of strikes," Yanks shortstop Derek Jeter said. "He doesn't really fall behind guys. It's makes it fun to play behind him because he keeps you on your toes." The Pirates managed just on hit ? Steve Pearce's fifth-inning single ? against Aceves and three of New York's B-list relievers. Paul Maholm was bounced after giving up two runs on three hits in two ..."