The Pirates have lost seven of their last nine games – including four out of six on their just-concluded homestand – and have fallen to .500 with their loss to the Miami Marlins yesterday.
Greg Brown has the story of Sunday’s loss.
On Pirates Insider on WCCS yesterday, general manager Ben Cherington said Konnor Griffin’s throwing program is going well as he recovers from his right forearm strain. He’s looking for Griffin to start playing baseball again soon.
Griffin has been throwing in Pittsburgh but Cherington said over the weekend that the rookie shortstop would report to Pirates City in Bradenton yesterday to begin what he called called a “legitimate throwing progression” before starting his rehab program.
After he went 3-for-4 with a homer and a double to start his rehab stint in Indianapolis, catcher Joey Bart was 0-for-3 with two strikeouts yesterday in a 4-3 loss to Columbus.
The Pirates’ scouting group gathered in Pittsburgh last week to compare notes and offer evaluations of potential deals the Bucs might pursue, especially regarding their woeful bullpen. Cherington says they are focused on improving this year’s version of the Pirates, not necessarily concentrating on building for the future.
The Bucs will look to break out of their slump on the road tonight, visiting the A’s. It’s the start of a six-game road trip to Sacramento and Colorado. The Pirates will start Jared Jones (1-0, 4.73 ERA) tonight against A’s right-hander J.T. Ginn (4-3, 3.15 ERA). Airtime is 9:15, first pitch at 9:40 on WCCS.
