Notes: Contracts, Successful First Homestand; Buc News, Injury Report; Minors Stuff

Playin' ball...

Notes:

• The Bucs avoided an arb hearing with Bryan Reynolds by agreeing to a contract that covers 2022-23 valued at $13.5M ($6.25M/season). He'll still have two more years of team control after that via arb, but the two sides are reportedly exploring a long term deal now that the next two years are in the rear view mirror.
• Ke'Bryan Hayes' eight year/$70M contract was officially announced before the Home Opener on April 12th; it had been agreed the week before in St. Louis. At the presser, Bob Nutting said "I think this is a point where we need to say 'We're focused on the major league club.'" Let's hope.
• The weather was in the sixties, Joe Manganiello threw out the first pitch, Joe Grushecky sang the National Anthem, 34,458 fans spun the gates - everything was perfect for the Home Opener except the score. Bryan Reynolds hit an eighth inning dinger, but two solo shots by Seiya Suzuki carried the Cubs to a 2-1 win at PNC Park. Jose Quintella lost his first Pirate start to Drew Smyly as the Bucco went 0-for-10 w/RISP. The loss dropped the Pirates PNC Park Home Opener record  to 9-13. But overall, a good homestand - the Bucs went 4-2, splitting two games with Chicago and taking 3-of-4 from Washington.
• Wil Crowe got his first MLB save Wednesday with three shutout innings to close out the win against the Cubs. The next night, Roansy Contreras pitched three scoreless innings with five whiffs to earn his first MLB win.

Wil Crowe is takin' well to the bullpen - 2021 photo/MLB.com 

• Thing to watch: the Pirates opponents have scored first in eight of their nine games. The fielding and hitting have been better than expected early on, but the starters keep digging holes... The Bucs have had to battle back from behind for all five wins.
• RHP Zach Thompson took a comebacker off the shoulder blade during Wednesday's game, leading to a contusion, but won't miss a start. SS Kevin Newman, who's been out since Thursday with a groin injury, is day-to-day. C Roberto Perez went down Friday when a foul left him with a bruised quad just above the knee; he returned Sunday.
• OF Anthony Alford, who is on the 10-day IL with a sprained wrist, began a rehab stint along with LHP Sam Howard at Bradenton this weekend while RHP Duane Underwood Jr., who strained a hammy on Opening Day, has resumed throwing. 
• 40-Man Roster Injuries: OF Travis Swaggerty, limited by a shoulder injury in camp, has progressed from DH to full-time player at Indy this week. RHP Max Kranick (right forearm strain) began a rehab assignment with the Bradenton Marauders on Tuesday, tossing 24 pitches in two frames. RHP Luis Oviedo (right ankle sprain) began his rehab assignment with the Marauders on Sunday, throwing 14 pitches, and then was bumped up to Altoona.
• Indy had a no-hitter authored by RHP Chase De Jong on Wednesday. He threw seven innings with two walks and nine strikeouts and the gem was finished off by RHP Austin Brice (K) and RHP Yerry De Los Santos (two K), with each taking an inning.
• Mark Belco of the Post Gazette took a deep dive into Pirate finances; it shows that ticker and concession revenues cover the payroll among other items. Part two looked into a team-friendly lease, intended to keep a struggling club in Pittsburgh