Zach Duke News: Pro Sports Daily

Duke has strong start but Pirates lose to Phillies

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March 16

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

"Zach Duke had his strongest start of the spring, but Evan Meek allowed three runs in relief, and the Pirates lost to the Philadelphia Phillies, 5-1, this afternoon at McKechnie Field. Duke, who entered with a 7.71 ERA, allowed one run on two hits over 3 2/3 innings, that on John Mayberry Jr.'s sacrifice fly in the fourth that tied the score 1-1. He struck out four, walked three. "I felt pretty good," Duke said. "I made some close pitches in the fourth inning that could have gone either way and ended up being balls. I got into a little bit of trouble there but, overall, I felt pretty good." He threw more curveballs than usual as part of his program for this start, but, more importantly, ..."

Duke struggles early in Pirates' 3-2 loss to Orioles

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March 11

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

"Luke Scott's two-run single in the first inning sparked the Orioles past the Pirates, 3-2, tonight at McKechnie Field. Neither team's starter fared well, with Baltimore's Brad Bergesen allowing two runs and three hits in 1 1/3 innings, Zach Duke allowing three runs and four hits in 2 2/3 innings. Duke struck out his first two batters, then allowed an Adam Jones triple, two walks and three singles. Ty Wigginton also had an RBI single for the Orioles in that inning, bringing a 3-0 lead."

Bucs to monitor Duke's workload

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February 22

Pittsburgh Tribune Review

"Pirates pitching coach Joe Kerrigan wonders if Zach Duke's second-half slide last season was a byproduct of his heavy workload in the first half. "We'll have to take a look at that," Kerrigan said. "Maybe that has something to do with the wear and tear in August and September." Duke tossed 213 innings, the most on the team and 12th in the National League. He earned an All-Star bid by winning eight games and posting a 3.29 ERA in the first half. But Duke put up ERAs of 5.76 in August and 5.84 in September/October and won just twice in his final 11 starts. "Yeah, he was pitching his butt off the first two months and was going eight or nine innings," Kerrigan said. "But did those outings take ..."

Pirates pitcher Duke takes pride in durability

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February 21

Pittsburgh Tribune Review

"Zach Duke is a workhorse in the Pirates' starting rotation. The left-hander has made 30-plus starts in three of his first four full seasons in the majors. The exception was 2007, when injuries limited Duke to 19 starts. Last season, Duke did not miss a start and led the team with a career-high 11 victories. He tossed 213 innings, tops on the team and 12th in National League. Duke also was tied for third in NL with three complete games, the most by a Pirate since Jeff Suppan had three in 2003. "I take a lot of pride in the fact that I take the mound every time and, most of the time, I give us a chance to win," Duke said. "The key is getting into a routine. You let your body adjust to the ..."

Pirates agree to deal with Duke, claim outfielder on waivers

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January 20

Pittsburgh Tribune Review

"Duke avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $4.3 million contract. This is the second of Duke's three years of arbitration eligibility. Duke, 26, made $2.2 million last season, when he went 11-16 with a 4.06 ERA and earned his first All-Star berth. In five seasons with the Pirates, Duke is 37-55 with a 4.30 ERA. According to general manager Neal Huntington, the Pirates did not consider offering Duke a long-term deal. "As we worked through the process, it became clear it's in our best interest to stay with a one-year contract," Huntington said. "The trouble with multi-year contracts this late in the (arbitration eligibility) process is they become more like a free-agent contract." ..."

Pirates, Duke avoid arbitration, agree to contract

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January 19

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

"The Pirates and starter Zach Duke this morning agreed to terms on a contract, thus avoiding salary arbitration, according to a source directly involved in talks. It is believed to be a one-year term, but no salary was immediately available. Noon today was Major League Baseball's deadline for teams and arbitration-eligible players to exchange salary figures toward the hearings that take place in February, but that process was canceled by the agreement. Duke, 26, made $2.2 million last year while going 11-16 with a 4.06 ERA in 32 starts and making the National League All-Star team. This was his second year of arbitration eligibility."

Pirates starter Duke files for arbitration

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January 16

Pittsburgh Tribune Review

"Left-hander Zach Duke on Friday became the lone Pirates player to file for salary arbitration. Duke is among 128 major leaguers who filed. Arbitration hearings will be held the first three weeks of February, though players and management can continue to negotiate up to the start of their hearing. Usually, most of the players who file for arbitration settle with their teams before their case is heard by an arbitrator"

Duke, Pirates not on rocky arbitration road

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January 7

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

"Zach Duke, the Pirates' All-Star starting pitcher in 2009 and their only player eligible for salary arbitration who remains unsigned, does not appear to be on course for a hearing. The sides are focused, according to multiple sources, on settling amicably on a one-year contract, a term that tends to streamline the process. Management has not offered Duke any multiyear term and apparently has no intention of doing so. Moreover, there is no trace of the type of large disagreement about the player's value, as there was between management and closer Matt Capps before his release last month. Duke, 26, is coming off a season in which he went 11-16 with a 4.06 ERA and three complete games, tying ..."

Interest high in Bucs pitchers Maholm, Duke

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December 9

Pittsburgh Tribune Review

"Pirates left-handers Paul Maholm and Zach Duke have drawn considerable interest from other teams at the Winter Meetings. "The value is high for quality starting pitchers," general manager Neal Huntington said Tuesday. "As more go off (the market), the value may go up. It's something we have to be open-minded about. We're not looking to move, but if we get a good baseball deal, we'll talk about it." Huntington indicated there's no sense of urgency to trade a pitcher during this week's meetings. "In fact, if we were smart about it, we'd probably wait and let most of the other options go off the board," he said. "Maybe we'd get (another team) that's willing to be that much more aggressive." » ..."

Jackson just the start of pitching deals

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December 8

Foxsports.com

"Edwin Jackson will not be the last starting pitcher traded. The Blue Jays are working three- and four-team scenarios involving Roy Halladay. The Braves are aggressively shopping Derek Lowe. The Rangers are actively discussing right-hander Kevin Millwood. Other available starting pitchers include the Reds' Aaron Harang and Bronson Arroyo, the Royals' Gil Meche, the Rangers' Brandon McCarthy and — only for the right price — the Pirates' Zach Duke and Paul Maholm. For a team such as the Angels, facing the potential loss of free-agent right-hander John Lackey, the options are plentiful. If the Jays' price for Halladay is too high, they can always turn to Lowe. The Orioles, pursuing Millwood, ..."

Interest in Pirates' Duke, Maholm

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December 7

Foxsports.com

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"Pirates starters Zach Duke and Paul Maholm are available, but one person familiar with the team's plans said Neal Huntington will need to be "overwhelmed" in order to trade one of them. Another source said "a few" clubs have checked on Duke and Maholm recently. Both are very affordable, which enhances their appeal: Maholm has $11 million left on his contract through 2011, and Duke will probably earn between $3 million and $4 million next year through salary arbitration"

Duke unusually wild in Pirates' 8-4 loss to Reds

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October 4

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

"One to go. The Pirates' 8-4 loss to the Cincinnati Reds last night at Great American Ball Park very much had that get-this-over-with feel, from Zach Duke uncharacteristically losing his command to the offense swinging wildly at an erratic opposing pitcher to ... Well, whatever. Today, the franchise's 123rd season ends, 98 losses after it began, with little more than the mathematical assurance that 100 cannot be achieved. And it might well be that the official avoidance of 100 with the victory here Friday led to a letdown in this one. The players had spoken in recent days of not wanting to be part of such a distinction and treated the 6-2 stretch that followed like "our playoffs," as center ..."

Capps will be tendered

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September 26

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

"The Pirates will tender contracts to all three key players -- starter Zach Duke, closer Matt Capps and shortstop Ronny Cedeno -- who are certain to qualify for salary arbitration this offseason. "Barring some unforeseen circumstance, we will," general manager Neal Huntington said last night in his first firm pronouncement on the subject. Management would prefer, as always, to negotiate settlements before cases reach arbitration. That could be especially true of Capps, who will be second-year eligible after making $2.425 million in a down year. "I don't see a situation in which we non-tender Capps unless we get completely unrealistic financial demands," Huntington said. "From the standpoint ..."

Drip by drip, dismal inning dunks Pirates' Duke

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September 9

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

"Zach Duke watched squibber after squibber squeak through the Pirates' infield for single after single in Chicago's first inning, with nary an out in sight. Surely, this had to change. Well, it did: One batter actually hit the ball hard and, then, the defense would begin hurting him, too. All told, the Cubs would string eight consecutive hits to open the game, tying a Major League Baseball record, and score seven times on the way to a 9-4 rout last night at PNC Park, a thorough humbling for the home team that included some biting reactions from the 17,862 who paid to watch. "I'll tell you what," Duke said afterward, after a deep breath. "I made some pretty good pitches that ended up being ..."

Pirates' Duke unimpressed by win No. 10

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August 24

Pittsburgh Tribune Review

"It took five tries before Zach Duke notched his 10th victory of the season. By stifling the Cincinnati Reds, 12-2, on Saturday, Duke snapped a string of two losses and two no-decisions. His record improved to 10-11. Time to celebrate? Not quite. "It means I'm one under .500," Duke said with a shrug. True, but it also allowed Duke to match his career high for victories in a season. With seven or eight starts to go, he should easily set a new personal mark. "Hopefully, I can get over .500 in that span," he said. Duke joined Ross Ohlendorf (11-8) in the Pirates' double-digit-win club. That might not seem like much, until you consider the team leader last year was Paul Maholm ... with nine ..."

Duke, Pirates move out of Central basement

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August 23

Pittsburgh Tribune Review

"This one had a Fam-a-lee feel to it. Tonight, with nearly all the living members of the 1979 World Series champs in attendance, the Pirates kept their five-game winning streak rolling by hammering the Cincinnati Reds, 12-2. The Pirates inched into fifth place in the NL Central, a half-game ahead of the Reds. It was the Pirates' most complete game in weeks - featuring clutch hits, a dash of power, some flashy defense, speed on the basepaths and a dominant pitching performance by Zach Duke. Just like back in the day, eh? "When we were there, and even preceding me, when you put on a Pirates uniform, there was an automatic (sense of) class," said Dale Berra, a former first-round draft pick and ..."

Are the Pirates done dealing?

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July 31

Foxsports.com

"After a flurry of activity, are the Pirates done dealing? Probably. But not necessarily. General manager Neal Huntington isn't marketing starters Paul Maholm and Zach Duke the same way he did since-traded infielders Freddy Sanchez and Jack Wilson. Maholm and Duke "are not being shopped," one source said. The Pirates are still listening but would probably have to be overwhelmed in order to make another trade. Of the two, Maholm is less likely to be dealt, one source said. His ERA is up one full run from last year, and Huntington wouldn't want to sell low. Reliever Matt Capps is available, too, but his uneven season (6.15 ERA) has scared away some suitors."

Pirates fielding offers for Sanchez and Wilson

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July 23

Foxsports.com

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"The Pirates continue to listen to offers for second baseman Freddy Sanchez, shortstop Jack Wilson, left-handed reliever John Grabow and right-handed closer Matt Capps. Moving left-hander Paul Maholm or Zach Duke would be "very tough" for the club, one source says, unless the Pirates acquired a major-league ready starting pitcher plus additional prospects in return. The Pirates like the foundation of their future rotation — Maholm, Duke and right-handers Ross Ohlendorf and Charlie Morton. The Giants are less willing to move left-hander Jonathan Sanchez due to the uncertainty surrounding lefty Randy Johnson, who is on the disabled list with a shoulder strain. Johnson, who turns 46 on Sept. ..."

Duke involved in potential deal to Giants?

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July 13

San Francisco Chronicle

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"As for not pitching in the All-Star Game, he said, "It's disappointing not being able to throw, but we've got other stuff going on here we'd like to take care of. It worked out all right. I get to go and enjoy it and Zach deserved it. It's good for him to be able to go do this." There is a little coincidence in the decision to take Duke. I keep hearing one version of a possible Giants deal for Pirates second baseman Fred Sanchez expanded to include Duke, too. I really don't know how serious that is, but it brings up a larger point. I would not be surprised to learn that GM Brian Sabean is looking for pitching, not because of Cain, but because of the injury to Randy Johnson, uncertainty of ..."

Zach Duke added to All-Star team

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July 13

Pittsburgh Tribune Review

"Zach Duke arrived at Citizens Bank Ballpark on Sunday morning and was told Pirates manager John Russell wanted to speak with him. In Russell's office. Alone. "I was thinking, 'What did I do to get into trouble already?'" Duke said with a laugh. Russell, though, had good news. Duke was named to the National League roster for the All-Star Game, which is Tuesday night at Busch Stadium in St. Louis. "This is definitely a very welcome surprise," Duke said. "You dream of it, but it's hard to realize it's actually happening." Philadelphia Phillies manager Charlie Manuel, who will manage the NL team, chose Duke to replace San Francisco Giants pitcher Matt Cain, who Saturday was struck near his ..."

Duke added to National League All-Star roster

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July 12

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

"Pirates pitcher Zach Duke was added this morning to the National League's All-Star roster as an injury replacement, and he will join teammate Freddy Sanchez in the game, Tuesday in St. Louis. The San Francisco Giants' Matt Cain was the injured pitcher. Duke, selected for the first time, is 8-8 with a 3.29 ERA. The Pirates scored just seven runs in those eight losses, and Duke has two complete-game losses, tied for most in Major League Baseball. "This is the icing on the cake, just knowing all the work I've put into it," Duke said. "To have something like this to verify that work, it's kind of great." Asked about being selected by other managers: "To feel like you're being recognized for ..."

Pirates pitcher Duke isn't feeling snubbed

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July 7

Pittsburgh Tribune Review

"Don't count left-hander Zach Duke among the list of All-Star snubs, at least not in his mind. "I don't think I should have made it, per se," he said. "But to be included in the discussions is definitely an honor. ... I'm happy with the first half I had." Duke is 8-7 with a 3.28 ERA and ranked fourth in the National League with 118 innings pitched. The Pirates averaged 1.1 runs in his seven losses. "Take about four of his games, if we score him any runs, I think he's a shoo-in because he's sitting there with 10 or 11 wins," manager John Russell said."

Last few years rough on Duke

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April 3

Pittsburgh Tribune Review

"Zach Duke has come to grips with 2005. During his debut season with the Pirates, the left-hander was practically bulletproof. Duke started with a five-game winning streak and finished with a flourish. Over the next three years, however, Duke lost more than twice as many games as he won. He battled injuries, struggled with revamped pitching mechanics and was forced to take a pay cut. The pitcher who once seemed to be the Pirates' future was instead being viewed as a flop. "That's kind of the curse of success," Duke said. "You have a good year and then don't necessarily back it up in the next couple of years, and you're always going to be compared to that one good season." Since his stellar ..."

Pirates inch closer to free agent Turnbow

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December 31

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

"The Pirates are one of three finalists in a freshly pared-down field of suitors for free-agent reliever Derrick Turnbow, a source said yesterday. The source described the Pirates as "very much still in the mix" but declined to divulge if they had offered a major league contract or any other specifics. The other two suitors are not known, either, although varying reports have linked Turnbow to the San Francisco Giants, Florida Marlins, Philadelphia Phillies, Detroit Tigers, Texas Rangers and Tampa Bay Rays. Turnbow, 30, was the Milwaukee Brewers' closer when he pitched in the 2006 All-Star Game at PNC Park, but he has fallen far since that 39-save season: He lost the closer's job in 2007 ..."

Pirates lose fifth in a row, swept by Rockies

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July 21

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

"Zach Duke was strong early, but ended up clobbered for nine runs in five-plus innings of the Pirates' 11-3 loss to the Colorado Rockies this afternoon, one that completed a four-game sweep, extended a five-game losing streak and dropped the overall record to a season-low 10 games under .500, at 44-54."

Pitching woes continue as Duke gives up 5 runs; Dumatrait returns to DL

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July 12

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

"The revolving door that is the Pirates roster spun again last night and will continue to rotate today. After a 6-0 loss to Kyle Lohse and St. Louis, the Pirates announced that left-hander Phil Dumatrait is back on the disabled list and won't start tonight."

Pirates push back Duke

May 29

Pittsburgh Tribune Review

"Because of a callus on his left middle finger, Zach Duke's next start will be bumped back a day to Friday. "Two starts ago, he had three (calluses) pop up," pitching coach Jeff Andrews said. "Now, it's down to one." Duke flips spots with lefty Phil Dumatrait, who will start today's series finale against Cincinnati."