Bucs Drop Last Grapefruit Game; Lineup for Philly & Notes

The Yanks whupped the Pirates 6-2 yesterday. AJ Burnett ran through a couple raindrops, especially in the second when he needed a Marte gun-down at home and a bases-loaded DP to escape, but put up four zeroes. Jordy Mercer had a couple of hits, while Starling and prospect Josh Bell had the RBIs. Jared Hughes gave up three runs in two frames, while minor leaguer Matt Benedict surrendered the last trio of tallies.

Jordy Mercer 2013 Topps series

Today's Game: The Bucs are playing back-to-back at Citizens Park against the Phils. Jeff Locke toes the rubber tonight at 7:05, with the game shown on Root Sports & 93.7 The Fan. For out of area rooters, it's also live on MLB.TV (mlb.com) as the Free Game of the Day. One caveat: the weather is a lot like ours, so it may be a no-go tonight.

Today's Lineup: Josh Harrison 3B, Gregory Polanco RF, Cutch CF, Neil Walker 2B, Starling Marte LF, Pedro Alvarez 1B, Fran Cervelli C, Jordy Mercer SS, Locke.
Today's Bench: All hands on deck with a pineful of minor league guys.
Today's Pitchers: All the relievers are in play along with some minor leaguers.

Looks like the regular lineup; good to see Cutch back in the saddle after a scary twist yesterday. Surpriesed to see so many minor leaguers, but Indy and Altoona are nearby. The Indians start their year on the 9th and the Curve on the 16th.

The Pirates current active roster consists of 31 players and 27 broke camp with them (Chris Stewart, Jaff Decker & Justin Sellers stayed behind to rehab at Pirate City while Brandon Cumpton has yet to be moved to the DL). By Sunday, the FO has to hand out DLs to the Florida gang and figure out the last bench player & the loser of the bullpen musical chairs to get to the 25-man limit either by cut or trade.

• When Frankie Liriano takes the hill Monday, it will be his third career Opening Day assignment.
• The Pirates picked up AAA 1B Hunter Morris from the Brewers for a PTBNL. He was a former top prospect that tread water in AAA. Where he fits will become clear after the weekend when we see how Andrew Lambo fares in his quest to earn a spot on the club.
• Andy Oliver was waived by the Phillies. As a Rule 5 pick from the Pirates, if he's not claimed, Philly has to offer him back to the Bucs or work out a deal with Pittsburgh to keep him.
• John Sickels of Minor League Baseball picks the Bucs farm system as #7.
• Wandy Rodriguez's comeback hit the wall after Atlanta released him today following a trade for Trevor Cahill. He had a decent spring, despite being beat up by his old teammates in late March, going 2-0 with a 3.13 ERA and 1.304 WHIP.
• Joe Beimel, who was released after a terrible spring with the Rangers, signed a minor league deal with Seattle.
• Old Hans' baseball card still brings in the bucks, per KDKA.