The Grind Goes On...
Pirates Notes:
- It's official: The Pirates signed OF/IF Yoshitomo Tsutsugo to a major league contract, with most of the his salary on Tampa Bay's books; the Bucs are on the hook for just the pro-rated minimum. He joined the team Monday in LA and hit his first homer on Friday against St. Louis. 1B John Nogowski was DFA'ed, clearing roster space for Yoshi; he cleared and was sent to Indy. When Tsutsugo appeared on Monday, he became the 56th different player used this season, a new team record - and set without the help of September call ups.
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| Yoshi Tsutsugo - photo Marcio Jose Sanchez AP/Pirates |
- Mitch Keller has been on a roller coaster for the Pirates, but he's money in the bank against St. Louis. In four career outings (three starts), he's 2-0/0.56, giving up a run in 16 IP on seven hits and six walks with 14 K.
- Left coast blues: The Dodgers are 23-2 in their last 25 games against Pittsburgh and have beaten the Bucs 16 straight times, a new Pirates record for futility against one team. Including this week's sweep, it was the 14th time Pittsburgh has been broomed this campaign without a single series sweep to their credit.
- JT Brubaker moved into a tie for the most homers allowed in the NL this year with 28 in 116-1/3 IP.
- After his Saturday debut, it was announced that Neil Walker will return to the AT&T SportsNet booth during the Pirates’ final homestand from September 28th-to-October 3rd against the Chicago Cubs and Cincinnati Reds.
- End to a sad chapter: Felipe Vazquez was sentenced to two-to-four years in prison with an additional two years on probation. Because Vazquez has already served nearly two years in jail since his arrest in September 2019, he'll be eligible for parole next month.
- Baseball America rated Pittsburgh's farm system as fourth best in MLB. They're behind a paywall; here's a link to the Trib's Kevin Gorman's report on the farm. MLB Pipeline has an updated list of their Top 30 Pirates Prospects.
Injury Notes:
- LHP Sam Howard (oblique) began his rehab stint at Indy on Tuesday. He tossed 19 pitches (he was on a 20-pitch count) in 2/3 scoreless IP, giving up a hit and walk.
- RHP Bryse Wilson (dead arm) threw a side session in LA.
- RHP Chad Kuhl (Covid IL) accompanied the team to Los Angeles and was activated for the St. Louis series; they plan to work him out of the bullpen to rebuild his arm strength. RHP Cody Ponce was optioned to Indy to clear an active roster spot.
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| Chad Kuhl - photo Gene Puskar AP/Pirates |
- OF Anthony Alford has resumed all baseball activity. They expect him to join team in St. Louis to continue his rehab work.
- The club activated OF Ka'ai Tom from the 10-day IL and then DFA'ed him. He went unclaimed and was assigned to AAA.
- RHP Miguel Yajure (forearm strain) is done with his 60 day IL/rehab stint and tossed for Indy on Thursday. He gave up one run on two hits and a walk with six strikeouts, spinning four innings/51 pitches. RHP Steven Wright, who was attempting a comeback with the Tribe, was released to open Yajure's 40-man spot.
- SS Oneil Cruz came off the IL and returned to action at Altoona on Friday as DH, smoking two doubles and driving in three runs. He's been out since the end of June with forearm soreness.
- RHP Neftali Feliz, who spun for the Bucs in 2015, has been called up by the Dodgers. He was out of baseball during the 2019-20 seasons, but made a brief comeback with the Phils this year, was released, and then picked up by LA three weeks ago.
- RHP Kyle Lobstein (Pirates - 2016) has been DFA'ed by the Brewers.
- Early CBA volley: MLB has proposed a $100 million salary floor and lowering the luxury tax threshold to $180 million. It seems to be more of a trial balloon rather than serious proposal.
- Is nothing sacred? MLB and the MLBPA awarded their exclusive baseball card licenses to Fanatics, a sports betting, memorabilia and merchandise franchise. The union deal starts in 2023, and the MLB rights kick in for 2026. For the past 70 years, the rights have belonged to Topps.
- Meadowcroft will host its annual Vintage Base Ball Day on Saturday the 21st from 10 AM to 4 PM. Two teams dressed in vintage uniforms will play at 10:30 AM and 1 PM by the rules used during the 1860s. So if you're interested in old-timey throwback ball...
I have a soft spot in my heart for the NPBL and I think it is the second best professional baseball league on the planet. I have no problem with the Pirates taking a long look at Tsutsugo, particularly in a rebuilding situation, but while he was pretty good in Japan, he was never overwhelmingly good. Meaning, he wasn't Ichiro or Hideki. I know he also plays outfield so perhaps they have in mind to make him the right fielder next year, since they can't possibly believe that Gregory Polanco is still a major league ballplayer. Either that or they plan on unloading Redbeard and putting Tsutsugo at first. I'll say again that I don't get the hate for Redbeard, but whatever. Meanwhile if Nogowski can recapture his form, maybe he'll be the short half of a platoon with Tustsugo next year?
ReplyDeleteThe Dodger dominance over the Pirates is tiresome, but they have a LLOONNGGG way to go to catch up to the 20 year beatdown the Brewers have laid on the Bucs. Baseball has always been odd that way---how can Keller dominate the Cardinals but the Brewers look like the '27 Yankees against the Pirates, etc---but Milwaukee's dominance over the Pirates is as inexplicable as it is inexcusable in my opinion. That's baseball, I guess.
First base will be interesting, Will; not much behind Redbeard, so they'll give Yoshi a shot w/Nogowski is at Indy too. Mason Martin is their big hope and he looks like a streaky power/lo average guy who whiffs an awful lot. I can't really think of a good corner man or conversion project in the upper minors right now.
ReplyDeleteAnd yah, the Brewers have had a couple of lengthy streaks where they've owned the Bucs; they had that five-year voodoo starting about 2008 and then began another run during the Shelty era. The Charlie Brown stretches are fueled mostly by lousy play at Milwaukee; bad teams like the Bucs were/are not very competent road warriors. But every team has its nemesis; Pittsburgh has a line of them.