The Pirates started their day introducing number one draft choice Derek Curiel, who beat the deadline (5 PM today) and signed his contract. The Bucs ended their afternoon holding off a Cubs rally to salvage a win in their three-game series.
Joe Block recaps a busy day at PNC Park.
Manager Donnie Kelly says it took the efforts of everybody to get the win.
Kelly says Braxton Ashcraft had to grind it out on the mound.
Kelly was thrilled for Shawn Ross, who homered in his first Major League start, especially since Ross worked his way through independent league baseball to make it to the big leagues.
After stumbling against the Cubs over the weekend, losing two out of three games, the Pirates are hoping for a better series against the Diamondbacks, starting tonight. The Bucs send right-hander Mitch Keller (6-7, 4.90 ERA) to the mound to face Arizona righty Merrill Kelly (8-8, 5.12 ERA). Airtime is 6:15, first pitch at 6:40 on WCCS.
CURIEL SIGNS ON
Number-one draft pick Derek Curiel was introduced at a Pirates news conference yesterday morning after he signed his contract, which includes a team-friendly signing bonus of $6.2 million. The slot value for the fifth overall selection is a little over $8.3 million, giving the Bucs $2.1 million in available over-slot money for signing their remaining other picks.
Curiel will head to Florida tomorrow to begin his pro career in the Florida Complex League.
On Pirates Insider on WCCS yesterday, the 21-year-old center fielder said he’s ready to play some baseball.
Curiel says he has some work to do, starting with his body.
GM Ben Cherington says it’s good to make Curiel a Bucco.
While Curiel represents a piece of the Pirates’ future, Cherington is working on the current version of the Bucs, and says he’s open to both long-term trade pieces or even short-termers who can help now before becoming free agents, with the MLB trade deadline a week from today.
Cherington also had some injury updates yesterday, including first baseman Spencer Horwitz, who flew back to Pittsburgh a day after getting hit in the head by a pitch during his rehab start for Bradenton on Saturday. He stayed in the game and later hit a home run.
Catcher Endy Rodriguez is due back as early as tonight from his rehab assignment with Indianapolis.
More injury news: last year’s top draft pick, pitcher Seth Hernandez, is being evaluated for discomfort in his left oblique, which he reported on Saturday after starting for Greensboro on Friday night.
After designating veteran left-hander Jose Urquidy for assignment on Friday, the Pirates yesterday traded him to the White Sox for right-handed pitcher Felix Doroteo.
