Notes: Jekyll & Hyde Week; Scorecards Mandatory; Pirates Injuries & News; Minor League & MLB Quickies

Still makin' moves...

Notes:

• Pittsburgh opened the week with a four-gamer against the Reds at Cincy at Great American Small Park. Long balls from Brian Reynolds, Rodolfo Castro and Diego Castillo carried the Bucs to an opening win. B-Rey, Ke'Bryan Hayes and Cal Mitchell kept the homers coming with sharp pitching by Johan Oviedo for a victory to start Tuesday's twin bill, and it was a sweep after the Bucs took the nightcap, 1-0, behind Luis Ortiz, Chase De Jong and Duane Underwood Jr. Praise the Lord and pass the ammo, on Wednesday, Roansy, Miguel Yajure and bombs by Oneil Cruz and Castro led to a brooming of the Redlegs. It's the first four-game set they've taken in Queen City since 1991 at Riverfront Stadium. Then it was off to NY to meet the Mets; game one was on Roberto Clemente Day, and everyone from both clubs wore #21 for the nationally televised match on Fox. The Pirates struck out about that many times in losing the first game and kept on failing away. They were swept, tying an MLB mark with 20 K on Sunday.
• On Monday, the Pirates recalled IF Diego Castillo, optioned IF Hoy Park back to Indy and RHP Luis Ortiz was added to the taxi squad. He pitched during Tuesday's twin bill as the 29th man. During the game, he became the second Bucco twirler of the Statcast era to hit 100 MPH (he did it six times); the other was Gerritt Cole, who did it last in 2017. Ortiz was then sent back to Indy, but quickly recalled as JT Brubaker (right lat) was put on the 15-day IL.

Luis Ortiz is back - 2022 photo/Pirates

• On Tuesday, the team called up C/INF Zack Collins (recently claimed from Toronto) from Indianapolis, optioned INF/OF Tucupita Marcano to Indy and DFA'ed INF/OF Bligh Madris, who was claimed by Tampa Bay and sent to AAA Durham.
• On Thursday, the team recalled LHP Eric Stout from Indy and DFA'ed RHP Tyler Beede. Also,  LHP Dillon Peters returned from his rehab stint and was DFA'ed, but went unclaimed and was assigned to Indy.
• Closer David Bednar (back) started a rehab assignment at Indy on Tuesday.
• The Pirates set a new franchise record for team strikeouts in a season, and they still have 16 games left to play.
• Mitch Keller had a 17-inning scoreless streak broken on Thursday by the Mets; it's the longest of the year produced by a Bucco hurler.
• Underwood earned his first MLB save on Tuesday; it was his second save opportunity in 115 MLB outings. Yajure posted his first big league save the next day, tossing the final three innings of a 10-4 win.
• Ortiz and Collins made their Pirates debut Tuesday against the Reds, and their appearances tied the team record for most players used during the season with 64. It was set last year.
• Ever wonder how all the yo-yo'ing of young players affects them and their performance? Cal Mitchell told the media gang before Tuesday's doubleheader: "Well, battling some of the front office decisions is new. Something that I’ve had to adjust to."

Cal Mitchell - 2020 Bowman Chrome

• Prospects going to the Surprise Saguaros of the Arizona Fall League: RHPs Quinn Priester, Tahnaj Thomas & Colin Selby; LHP Omar Cruz; Cs Henry Davis & Blake Sabol; IFs Nick Gonzales & Jacob Gonzalez and OF Matt Gorski.
• Altoona didn't qualify for the Eastern league playoffs. 
• The Curve team award winners: INF Jared Triolo was MVP; RHP Luis Ortiz was Pitcher of the Year; RHP J.C. Flowers and RHP Tahnaj Thomas were Firemen of the Year and INF Andres Alvarez was the team's Unsung Hero.
• Altoona Curve RHP Quinn Priester was selected as the Eastern League Pitcher of the Week after tossing seven innings of two-hit, shutout ball.
•  Altoona RHP Tahnaj Thomas, a native of the Bahamas, will pitch for team Great Britain in the World Baseball Classic Qualifiers.
• Yu Chang has gotten the grand tour this year - he started with Cleveland, went to Pittsburgh, was claimed by Tampa Bay, and now is with Boston.
• Arizona recalled OF Jordan Luplow and DFA'ed IF Wilmer Difo, a daily double of ex-Bucs.
• Rawlings has added utility players to the list of annual Rawlings Gold Glove Award recipients for the first time since the Award’s inception in 1957. One super utility player will be recognized in both the American and National Leagues, joining the 18 position players receiving Awards.