Notes: 3-3 Week v Division Leaders; Injuries, Here-and-Gones, Rehabs; Minor Honors & Performances; Ex-Bucs Moves

The season winds down...

Notes:

• Labor Day started off with a series at home v the Brew Crew. The Bucs stayed hot, winning the first game, 4-2, behind Luis Ortiz and homers by Ke'Bryan Hayes and Jack Suwinski. No such luck in the second match, taken easily by Milwaukee, 7-3. The rubber match started poorly with the Bucs falling behind early, 3-0, but they kept grinding and took the series-decider by a 5-4 score. Then it was on the road again, to Atlanta. The Bravos romped against Mitch Keller, dinking him to death early and adding a couple of blasts later to take an 8-2 dub. The Pirates paid them back the next match, winning, 8-4, behind a 14-hit attack w/two homers and a great job by the pen. But the overworked pen was called upon again in the rubber match and was bashed this time out, turning a 2-1 lead into a 5-2 loss.
• Andrew McCutchen was helped off the field after aggravating a wheel (his Achilles tendon tightened) Monday night. He said it was a preventive move and he was fine to go; he was wrong. Cutch suffered a partial tear in his Achilles tendon and went on the 10-day IL, although he's expected to be in a walking boot for six weeks. Looks like career homer #300 has to wait 'til next year. INF Jared Triolo (.273 in 36 Bucco games this year) was called up.
• David Bednar was selected as this year's Pirates Roberto Clemente Award nominee. The Renegade is non-stop in charity/non-profit events and was also last year's honoree.
• RHP Hunter Stratton (4-4-6/3.99 in 47 AAA outings) was called up from Indy, taking the bullpen spot of LHP Rob Zastryzny (1-0/4.79 in 21 games), who was DFA'ed. Rob cleared and opted for free agency rather than an assignment to Indy. 

Oneil Cruz likely not ready for prime time yet - photo 2023/Pirates

• SS Oneil Cruz returned to running/rehab this weekend, but doesn't appear to be near enough to game shape to be ready for a return this year.
• RF Henry Davis (wrist) began a rehab stint at Indy on Saturday, so he's on track to finish the season off the IL and on the team if all goes well.
• The Pirates placed RHP Paul Skenes on the development list, in effect ending his season at 129-1/3 IP (122-2/3 posted with LSU). GM Ben Cherington told the media “He’s checked all of the boxes we aimed for him to check during the 2023 season" and that they were getting him started on an off-season development program to get ready for 2024. 
• After a short break due to stiffness, Roansy Contreras got back on the bike at Indy.
• OF Matt Gorski (.238 BA/17 HR) was moved from Altoona to Indy.
• RHP Bubba Candler has been on a recent roll at Greensboro and was rewarded; he was promoted to AA Altoona and made his final start of the campaign for the Curve. Looked like a good move; he went five scoreless frames Friday, giving up a hit to go with eight whiffs. Joining him in the move up was CF Jase Bowen (.258/23 HR/24 SB).
• Altoona selected IF Liover Peguero (.260/11 HR) as its MVP and RHP Jared Jones (1-4/.2.23, 47 K in 44-1/3 IP) as Pitcher of the Year. The Fireman of the Year was split between RHP Cameron Junker (3-5-1/3.53) /LHP Nick Dombkowski (5-5/3.56) and the Unsung Hero was IF Claudio Finol (.236, played four positions). 

Peggy - Topps 2023 Series 1

• LHP Michael Kennedy has been named the Florida Complex League Pitcher of the Month. In 14-2/3 IP, he gave up a run on five hits with 18 K. The 18-year-old was a fourth round pick in the 2022 draft out of Troy HS (NY).
• The Chicago White Sox claimed RHP Yohan Ramirez off waivers from the Pirates and assigned him to AAA Charlotte. OF Cal Mitchell, who was DFA'ed with him on 9/1, cleared waivers and was outrighted back to Indy.
• The Marlins outrighted RHP & ex-Bucco Geoff Hartlieb to AAA Jacksonville after he was DFA'ed and went unclaimed.