The Pirates fell behind early and lost to the Orioles last night, 5-2. Cam Sanders gave up a run in his one inning of work and Gregory Soto and Mike Clevinger each gave up two runs. Bryan Reynolds had two hits, including an RBI single.
Manager Donnie Kelly also adjusted his pitching plan for the weekend to set up Paul Skenes for the opening day start next Thursday against the Mets in New York. Skenes will start tomorrow against the Blue Jays. Mitch Keller throws on Sunday against the Red Sox and for the Grapefruit League finale on Monday, it will be Carson Fulmer on the mound against the Braves.
Kelly says Skenes has been preparing for opening day, even as he pitched for Team USA in the World Baseball Classic.
Skenes says he’s excited to start the season.
Skenes says he is challenged every time he goes to the mound, whether it’s the World baseball Classic or a regular season start.
The Pirates have some major decisions to make to set the opening day roster, with spirited competition on the pitching staff and among the position players. Kelly appreciates how the players are approaching it.
The Bucs yesterday optioned catcher Endy Rodriguez to Indianapolis. He has hit .308 with two home runs and six RBIs in spring training returning from another elbow injury.
Kelly knows exactly how those players “on the bubble” feel.
TODAY’S ACTION
The Pirates will play two night games today. The major leaguers will play the Braves in North Port, with reliever Yohan Ramirez getting the start.
The best and brightest of the Bucs’ prospects will be playing in Bradenton in the Spring Breakout against the top prospects of the Tigers, and the team announced yesterday that last year’s top draft choice, right-hander Seth Hernandez will start and pitch his first game as a professional. He is the third-ranked Pirates prospect and is rated number 29 among all minor leaguers by mlb.com.
INJURY REPORT
The Pirates’ senior director of sports medicine, Todd Tomczyk, gave some updates on injured Bucs in training camp, including one prized prospect who would have been featured in the Spring Breakout. Outfielder Edward Florentino has been out for a month with an ankle injury and is back to full baseball activities but not ready to play in a game.
Promising infielder Jack Branigan is also back to baseball activities and about a week or so away from getting back to playing. He has a nasal fracture suffered on a bad-hop grounder.
Non-roster pitcher Chris Devenski is scheduled to play catch today for the first time since suffering a concussion last Friday when he was struck in the head by a line drive.
Perhaps the most intriguing returning player is Jared Jones. The pitcher had a “deload week” this week to get him some rest, but is throwing again and will toss a live batting practice early next week.
