Notes: Road Trip, Players Up & Down, Random Stuff

Mayday...

Notes:

• The road trip this week ran into some dismal weather. The two game set in Motown was turned into a one-day twin bill, and the opening match of the Reds series was rained out and rescheduled as part of a split July doubleheader. It was a disappointing week as the Bucs went 2-3, especially as two losses were giveaways. The 3-2 loss to Detroit featured three errors, and all three Tiger runs were unearned. The first Reds loss was a tie game in the eighth. The Bucs loaded the bases with no outs for the middle of the order; all three struck out. Then Josh VanMeter, who last caught when he was 14, donned the tools of ignorance after Roberto Perez was hurt and Andrew Knapp was ejected for yapping. Cincy responded with a seven-spot and runaway victory. The second loss to Cincy was all Colin Moran; the ex-Buc had two homers and six RBI in the Redlegs 7-3 win.
• Despite a couple of good efforts, Pirates starters have yet to win a game this year in 26 outings.

Roberto Perez - photo Mike Carlson/Getty

• C Roberto Perez injured his hammy Saturday and was placed on the 10-day IL. It appears pretty severe, so he may miss a good chunk of time at a thin spot. C Michael Perez was called up but needed a 40-man spot, so LHP Sam Howard was DFA'ed to clear a space.
• RHP Max Kranick was called up as the 27th man for Saturday's doubleheader v Cincy. He was added for bullpen depth, not as a spot starter, and got into the second game. Max tossed two scoreless frames, giving up a hit and two walks while fanning three.
• The Pirates reached the May cutdown to 26 active-roster players by sending RHP Miguel Yajure and LHP Sam Howard to Indy (he was later DFA'ed). LHP Anthony Banda was taken off the IL and LHP Aaron Fletcher was optioned to Indy to clear a roster spot. The moves left the current group at 13 position players+13 pitchers.
• Indy OF Travis Swaggerty has been placed on the 7-day minor league IL after suffering a mild concussion on Tuesday when he collided with Oneil Cruz; it appears to be just a precautionary move.
• C Henry Davis has been promoted to Altoona; he was tearing it up (.350 BA) at Greensboro.

Henry Davis - 2021 Bowman Chrome

• OF Anthony Alford signed a minor-league deal with the Cleveland Guardians.
• Jason Mackey of the Post Gazette said the Bucs and Jason Kendall are discussing a possible role in the organization, yet undefined, for the former catcher.
• BTW, Chad Kuhl is 3-0/1.82 with the Rox and Tyler Anderson is 3-0/2.78 for the Dodgers. Cherry picking a small sample size, for sure, but so far... 
• Congrats to Dusty Baker - the 'Stros skipper became the 12th manager in MLB history to reach 2,000 wins this week.