-- The beat guys report that the Bucs have reacquired Brian Bixler, who couldn't hit a lick in Cleveland but did a good job in AAA, batting .278 and playing all the outfield positions and 3B-SS-2B (sound familiar?). The price was a PTBNL.
-- Tim Alderson, who the Pirates allegedly stole from the Giants in the Freddy Sanchez deal last year, has been demoted from Altoona down to High A Bradenton, according to Cory Giger of the Altoona Mirror.
He notes that "Alderson's velocity has been way down this season -- mostly in the 87-88 mph range -- and he has been working exclusively out of the stretch for most of the season trying to correct some mechanical issues." He always had a funky delivery; we just hope the cure doesn't kill him.
Alderson, 21, entered the season rated by Baseball America as the Pirates' No. 7 prospect, but is 7-6 with a 5.62 ERA and an OBA of .307 for the Curve.
-- Rob Biertempfel of the Tribune Review tweeted that Tony Sanchez, who hoped to return from a broken jaw in August, will instead be out for the year.
-- West Virginia's Nathan Baker, 22, was named the Sally League's Pitcher of the Week. The LHP tossed 14 innings, striking out 12 and walking two without yielding a run. He's 6-5 with a 2.99 ERA for the Power. Baker was a fifth round draft pick from Ol' Miss in 2009.
-- State College's Kevin Decker, 22, earned Pitcher of the Week honors in the short-season New York - Penn League. He pitched 10 scoreless innings, allowing five hits, two walks and striking out nine; he's 2-0 with a 2.42 ERA for the Spikes. The LHP was a 39th round pick for the Pirates this year out from the College of Charleston.
-- Jim Callis of Baseball America writes that Pirate #1 pick Jameson Taillon would rank among the top 25 of all prospects if he was under contract now. But he doesn't expect Taillon or any of the top three picks to sign until the August 16th deadline.
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