Notes: Scorecard Watchers: IL Moves, Updates & Newbies; Minor Moves; Happenings

Headin' toward All Star week...

Notes:

• 1B John Nogowski officially reported to the Pirates and started on Monday, causing RHP Nick Mears to be optioned back to Indy after a brief stay as a bullpen insurance policy. Nogo, btw, picked up his first MLB RBI, had two hits and scored three times. And he kept on: John went 10-for-16, tying the modern team record for most hits in the first four games, set in 1913 and 1918.
• OF Gregory Polanco (hip inflammation) was sent to to 10-day IL, and UT Phillip Evans went on the 7-day concussion IL. SS Cole Tucker (Indy) and IF Rodolfo Castro (Altoona) were recalled. On Friday, Duane Underwood Jr. was placed on the 10-day IL (retro to July 8th) with right side discomfort and LHP Austin Davis (Indy) was recalled to replace him
• Chase De Jong won his second MLB game against the Bravos; his first victory was back in 2018 with the Twinkies.
• Rodolfo Castro joined Craig Wilson (2001) on Friday night as the only Buc whose first MLB hit was a pinch hit homer.

Rodolfo Castro goes boom - photo Pittsburgh Pirates

• The Pirates scored 11 runs Monday; they had put up a total of 10 runs in the seven games before that. It was the second time this year they scored in double digits, also plating 11 against Cleveland in June.
• Atlanta has lost five of their past six series in Pittsburgh.
• LHP Steven Brault left the team after the weekend and is back in Florida, where he's scheduled to begin his rehab assignment on Sunday for Low-A Bradenton. Gregory Polanco has a core injury, and they hope he'll be back after the ASG. Colin Moran's sore hand prevents him from hitting yet, and Trevor Cahill doesn't look like he'll be back before August; ditto for prospects Roansy Contreras and Oneil Cruz, both out with forearm strains. Contreras had been picked to play in the Futures Game but is now obviously out, leaving RHP Quinn Priester as the Pirates sole rep in the prospect showcase.
• The Pirates inked IF Dee Strange-Gordon to a minor league deal and assigned him to Indy; sounds like a depth deal, especially if Fraze is dealt.
• 28-year-old RHP Tanner Anderson, who was  traded to Oakland after the 2018 season, was signed by the Bucs after the A's released him a couple of weeks ago and sent to Indy.

Geoff's now a NY Met

• RHP Geoff Hartlieb was claimed by the Mets and assigned to AAA Syracuse after he was let go to make room for 1B John Nogowski.
• Old Bucco 2021 All Stars: RHP Mark "The Shark" Melancon (SD) and RHP Gerritt Cole (NYY).
• Jose Tabata got his promotion from The WV Power, but the comeback went south - he signed with Monterey of the Mexican League on Thursday.
• The Pirates will hold a pregame, 50th Anniversary '71 Team Celebration on July 17th at PNC Park against the Mets, and it will be followed by a postgame Zambelli fireworks show.