Notes: Home Not So Sweet; Player Shuffle Keeps On; Team, MLB Snips

Rollin' into May...

Notes:

• The Bucs dropped 5-of-6 on this week's homestand, being swept by the Brew Crew and dropping 2-of-3 to San Diego. Lack of attack and some shoddy infield work were the big contributors to the showing; DH'ing Yoshi and platooning 1B Michael Chavis and Indy's Mason Martin would solve half the IF issues.
• On Saturday, Pirates starting pitchers tied an MLB record set by the '89 Baltimore Orioles by going 21 straight games without posting a win. On Sunday, they claimed the mark for their own with their 22nd consecutive start without a win. But on the other side of the pillow, Mitch Keller became the first starter to go six full innings this year. But the MLB extended the active roster pitcher cap of 14 throughout May; it was set to drop to 13 after the 1st.
• The rosters have to be cut to 26 players (it's now 28) by May 2nd; pitchers are capped at 14.

K-Man out for a month - 2020 Topps Gypsy Queen

• SS Kevin Newman left Tuesday game with groin tightness and was placed on the 10-day IL. His exit corresponded with B-Rey's return, so no move was needed. K-Man is expected to be gone 3-5 weeks this time around; he missed a couple of days last week with soreness.
• CF Bryan Reynolds (he only missed one day) and utilityman Cole Tucker went on the Covid-19 IL, which has no specific length; dependent on testing. That triggered the call up OF Jack Suwinski and utilityman Tucupita Marcano from AA-Altoona. Suwinski started and slashed his first MLB knock; Tucu pinch hit and got his first Pirates hit, a double. (Tucupita was sent back on Saturday when Cole returned from the IL.) RHP Beau Sulser also took his big league bow (he took the spot of Anthony Alford last week), going 2-2/3 IP giving up two unearned runs, two hits, a walk and punching out four. LHP Anthony Banda went on the 10-day IL with a non-Covid virus, retro to 4/23, and the Bucs brought back LHP Sam Howard from Indy. 
• RHP Duane Underwood Jr. (hamstring) began his rehab stint at Bradenton on Friday.
• RHP Max Kranick (forearm strain) was removed from the 10-day IL and optioned to Indy.
• OF Anthony Alford cleared waivers and was outrighted to Indy; he refused the assignment and opted for free agency.

Luis back where he started - 2021 Pirates image

• RHP Luis Oviedo, 22, who was DFA'ed when RHP Chase DeJong was called up, has been claimed by the Cleveland Guardians, the team the Pirates took him from via Rule 5.
• Bradenton 3B Jacob Gonzalez was named Florida State League Player of the Week for the second straight week on 4/25. He hit .318 with 5 extra-base hits, including 2 home runs, in six games.
• Cutch stole his 200th base Tuesday night against the Bucs, joining the 200 homer/200 steal club.
• The Giants called up OF Ka'ai Tom, who last year was walked/HBP more times (22) than he reached via a hit (14) with the Pirates.
• New York Mets starter Tylor Megill and four relievers combined for the first no-hitter of the MLB season. Megill lasted five innings/88 pitches before Drew Smith, Joely Rodriguez, Seth Lugo and Edwin Diaz completing the second no-hitter in Mets history.
• Dodger pitcher Trevor Bauer was suspended for two seasons by MLB for domestic violence abuse; he's appealing.