Wednesday: Bucs Off, Camp Outlook, Yesterday's Game & Notes

Today: The Pirates have their second scheduled off day of the spring today, followed by a 14-game stretch. The club won't be off again until the 27th, the day before the Opener against the Reds.

Camp Battlegrounds: Pittsburgh had three question marks coming into camp, and hey - they still have them.

The Bucs were looking for a fifth starter. No one's taken that bull by the horns, as it looks like early front runner Jordan Lyles is going to be the man, more through default that merit. None of the young guys have made much noise, and they may end up missing having Ivan Nova (or even the ever-available Gio Gonzalez) in the rotation.

Shortstop features a pair of guys that make Mario Mendoza look like Pete Rose. To our eye, Kevin Newman has been better than Erik Gonzalez, although the management consensus goes the other way (they love to internally justify trades, no matter how trivial). But the bright side is that Cole Tucker has shown as advertised, so the Pirates are auditioning for a placeholder.

Is the SS answer at Indy? (photo Dave Arrigo/Pirates)

Finally, the bullpen was looking to add a solid lefty for balance. Tyler Lyons has been battered while Frankie and Steven Brault have been up-and-down, so even that modest upgrade is iffy at this point. (note: Tony Sipp just was signed by the Nats for $1M, so the lefty imbalance apparently bothers the Bucs not a twit).

There have been bright spots, too - Jung Ho Kang still has his power stroke (although the sub-.200 BA isn't inspiring), the outfield vets have been swingin' it, so it looks like they'll survive Gregory's late start, and Indy's left side of Cole Tucker/Ke'Bryan Hayes could be MLB-ready next year, along with OF Jason Martin. Will Craig also had a good spring, and Kevin Kramer has had his moments, so there is positional help at the upper levels. Mitch, JT Brubaker and maybe Geoff Hartlieb, along w/Rookie Davis and Aaron Slegers, provide a little pitching depth; the Pirates are really thin there.

Yesterday's Game: Jamo was tagged for three runs in four innings, but settled in after opening the game by surrendering back-to-back doubles. In fact, with a little better OF defense, he could have escaped with just that one early run. Michael Feliz and Jordan Lyles each worked two innings and gave up a run before Tyler Lyons was clobbered in the ninth, getting one out while being charged with five runs. For the Bucs, Fraze had a two-run knock and plated once; Starling had a run scored and RBI, and Melky Cabrera had two raps. The game wasn't the runaway that the score indicates; it was tied after six and a one-run game going into the ninth. The Bucco B-Team didn't help the cause particularly; they mustered one hit over the final four frames.

Notes:

• Jordan Lyles only worked two innings; he was taken out after cramping in his right side.He said after the game that it wasn't serious and he left as a precaution.
• Gregory Polanco batted in a minor league game yesterday for the first time this spring, going 1-for-4 with a whiff and a walk. Good to see him taking live cuts, though he's still far removed from the field. It's gonna take a bit for his arm strength to return, though it is thought he's on track for a May rather than June return to action.
• Aki Iwamura sighting: the old Bucco second sacker will be part of the opening pitch ceremony in the MGM-MLB Opening Series exhibit at the Tokyo Dome on March 21st between Oakland & Seattle.