Notes: Rays Take Opener 6-3, Yanks Come to Town; Siegrist Inked; Player Odds & Ends

Today: The Bucs open at LECOM Saturday against the Yankees on the 50th anniversary of the Pittsburgh-Bradenton connection. The game starts at 1:05 and will be aired on KDKA 1020 AM. Nick Kingham is slated to start against New York's Domingo German. Also due on the hill for the Bucs are Clay Holmes, Michael Feliz, Kyle Crick, Rule 5 pick Jordan Milbrath, Jack Leathersich and NRI Richard Rodriguez. The Bucs have some starters (J-Hay, El Coffee,Starling, Freezer, Jordy) sprinkled in the lineup; Bruce Brentz gets his first Bucco start at DH.

Nick Kingham tosses today (photo Dave Arrigo/Pirates)

Yesterday: The Bucs lost to Tampa Bay, 6-3. Austin Meadows went 3-for-3 with two doubles/pair of RBI and Colin Moran got his first Bucco hit, a soft shot the opposite way. Tyler Eppler retired six straight Rays following a leadoff single and most of the pitching was sharp; Altoona's Alex McRae and depth NRI John Stilson gave up all six runs. Both clubs' players wore Marjory Stoneman Douglas HS caps (as did the entire MLB) before the game to honor the fallen and support the survivors.

Notes

• The Pirates signed LHP Kevin Siegrist, 28, to an NRI deal to bolster the southpaw competition in the pen. He was 13-4-9 w/the Cards in 148 appearances during 2015-16 but tossed to a 4.88 ERA (4.38 FIP) last year; he hurt his back and was released by both SL and the Phils. Nice pickup, especially if Siegrist can stay healthy.
• The Kansas City Royals signed OF'er Michael Saunders to a minor-league deal two days after the Bucs signed him to a minor league deal. He was released at his request to pursue other opportunities after the Corey Dickerson trade shut down the competition for the LF spot. Saunders should be in the mix at KC.
• Adam Berry of MLB.com takes a look at some dark horse roster candidates for the Pirates.
• MLB Pipeline has an updated list of the Pirates Top 30 Prospects; there are some newer names there that you'll have to add to your memory banks.
• The Tigers have agreed to a one-year/$4M contract with LHP Frankie Liriano, with another $1M available in bonuses.