Notes: Bucs Rolling Again; Moves, Injuries Keep Roster Churnin'; Bucco & Minors News

Welcome June...

Notes:

• The Bucs started off the week by getting pounded by the Giants at Oracle Park, 14-4, then came back to eke out a 2-1 decision. The month has been so brutal to Pittsburgh that the victory was the first that David Bednar has saved since April; that's how long it's been since the Renegade had a save opp. And holy moly, they waited to the last day but the Bucs took their first series of the month, winning the rubber match, 9-4. The Bucs came home, fell behind the Redbirds 5-0, then used two-out, back-to-back homers by Ke'Bryan Hayes and Josh Palacios in the seventh to rally for a 7-5 victory. That was follower by a 4-3 and 2-1 winners for the sweep, with David Bednar earning a save for all three victories. Pittsburgh closed the week with a five-game winning streak.
• The Pirates traded RHP Robert Stephenson (0-3/5.54 in 17 outings), sending him to the Tampa Bay Rays for AA-Montgomery SS Alika Williams. Stephenson, a 30-year-old, eight-year MLB vet, joined the Pirates in August, 2022 after being waived by Colorado and has a career slash of 14-19-2/4.91. Williams, 24, was a competitive-balance round pick (37th overall) of the Rays in 2020 with a proven glove but very much a project at the plate, batting .237 so far this season. He was assigned to Indy and IF Mark Mathias was recalled to Pittsburgh.

Chris De Jong returns - 2022 photo Joe Sargent/Getty

• Indy LHP Angel Perdomo (1-1-1/3.18) was called up along w/RHP Yerry De Los Santos (0-4-2/5.60). IF Chris Owings (.160) was DFA'ed while RHP Cody Bolton, who had a rough few outings (5 games/12.38 ERA), was optioned to Indy. Big boy Perdomo (he's 6'8") got into 22 games with Milwaukee in 2020-21 (1-0/8.24) and De Los Santos tossed in 26 games with the Bucs last year (0-3-3/4.91). Yerry was here one day, worked 2/3 of an inning with a walk and whiff, and was optioned back to the Tribe as RHP Chase De Jong returned. De Los Santos was a victim of circumstance rather than performance - the Pirates burned  through eight pitchers in a rain delay game the day before and needed a fresh arm in the pen.
• On Wednesday, Mitch Keller became the first pitcher in franchise history to put up 90+ whiffs before June 1st when he fanned eight to run his season total to 93, topping AJ Burnett’s mark of 89 Ks in 2013. He also added to his record skein of striking out 8+ batters, running it up to seven consecutive contests after passing up Ollie Perez's 2004 five-game streak, the previous high water mark.
• 1B Carlos Santana missed the last two games of the Giants series with a stiff back, but returned to action for the St. Louis set.
• GM Ben Cherington said during his Sunday radio show that the roster will see player movement within the minor league levels and from the minors to the show starting this month. As if to prove his point, C Henry Davis was promoted to Indy on Sunday.
• RHP Duane Underwood cleared waivers and accepted his assignment to Indy.

VV & the mystery ailment - 2023 photo/MLB.com

• The Bucs still don't have a diagnosis for what ails RHP Vince Velasquez; they're still in the "gathering information" stage for his second stint on the IL. Whether he returns during this season is still up in the air, so sounds like they suspect something serious.
• 1B Ji-Man Choi (achilles) is taking part in baseball activities now. He went on the 60-day IL in April and seems on target for a late June return.
• RHP Wil Crowe is throwing 75' off flat ground. He had a plasma injection three weeks ago for his aching shoulder, which landed him on the 60-day IL in late April.
• SS Oneil Cruz (ankle) will be out of his walking boot soon, but no timeline has been established for his return. He was back in town for his bobblehead day on Saturday and said that his rehab is moving along pretty much as expected. And while he's out, the Pirates are reportedly talking about a contract extension for him, so we'll see if that has any legs.
• OF Matt Frazier, struggling in AA Altoona, has been playing some second base.
• OF Travis Swaggerty (illness) finished his rehab and is now back with Indy. His mind may still be elsewhere; his wife Peyton is suffering from a blood disorder.
• Indy 1B Malcom Nunez went on the IL last week; his injury is a right shoulder impingement and he's in no-throwing/hitting mode now.
• RHP Blake Cederlind (elbow surgery) was released by the Pirates after completing his Low A rehab assignment. He had been hit hard in Bradenton (nine runs in six innings, giving up six hits and six walks) during his tune up.