Except for a few outbursts, the Pirates have been struggling on offense lately, and yesterday against Arizona, they ran into another tough lefthander.
Greg Brown has the story of a Bucco loss.
Manager Donnie Kelly says the Pirates are scrapping and scuffling.
The Pirates are wrapping up a very tough July schedule against some of the toughest teams in baseball, while missing four and sometimes five key bats from the lineup. Kelly is proud of the effort.
Before the game, the Pirates sent utility man Tyler Callihan to Indianapolis and called up outfielder Jhostynxon Garcia, who started yesterday in center field and went 0-for-3. The Bucs also sent relievers Isaac Matson and Brandon Eisert to Indy and recalled pitchers Hunter Barco and Noah Murdock.
Senior director of sports medicine Todd Tomczyk says center fielder Oneil Cruz has finally resumed all baseball activities as he recovers from fractures to his fourth and fifth metacarpals in his left hand. He still has some swelling but hopes to get some live at-bats as early as next week. He’s been on the injured list since June 10th.
Tomczyk says the team is “monitoring” first baseman Spencer Horwitz, who has a concussion. Pitcher Evan Sisk could start a rehab assignment today in Indianapolis. Shortstop Konnor Griffin is playing catch and doing other baseball activities about halfway through his recovery period for his left ring finger injury.
Top prospect Seth Hernandez, the number one draft choice last year and the third-ranked prospect in baseball, may be done for the year. His left oblique strain is significant, according to Tomczyk. He said it’s not a “minor” strain, and with a normal recovery time of about 32 days, there is not enough season left for Hernandez to get back in time. Greensboro’s season ends on September 6th.
