It wasn’t the prettiest of games, but the Pirates got off to a good start on the 2023 season yesterday in Cincinnati. Joe Block has the recap. (5-4 win.)
Manager Derek Shelton says the Bucs played good fundamental baseball.
Shelton says everyone contributed to the win.
Ji Hwan Bae got the start at second base and had two hits, a walk, and two steals. Shelton says the Pirates can exploit Bae’s speed and versatility.
The Pirates have the day off today and resume the series tomorrow afternoon in Cincy.
Outfielder Bryan Reynolds had set an opening day deadline for a contract extension but MLB Network’s Jon Heyman tweeted yesterday that “while there’s agreement on dollars…a major conceptual issue has prevented a deal. Reynolds has moved a lot to try to get a deal done, but there remains a disagreement on this key point.”
Reynolds would not speak about the negotiations after the game yesterday. He was reportedly seeking an 8-year, $134 million extension when spring training began.
Final moves to set the Pirates roster for the opener included the addition of pitcher Rob Zastryzny, who threw an inning-and-a-third of shutout relief yesterday. Outfielder Ryan Vilade was designated for assignment, pitchers JT Brubaker and Robert Stephenson were put on the 15-day injured list and Jarlin Garcia was put on the 60-day list.
