Johan Oviedo’s return to the Major Leagues was stellar, as the Pirates shut down the high-powered Toronto offense. Joe Block has the story.
Manager Donnie Kelly was almost at a loss for words describing Oviedo’s effort.
Kelly says Tommy Pham’s double off Jays’ starter Chris Bassitt was fun to watch, especially since Pham was jeered by the large contingent of Blue Jays fans who had made the trip from Toronto.
The Pirates are finally bringing Bubba Chandler up from Indianapolis. The number one pitching prospect in baseball according to MLB Pipeline will be in uniform tomorrow night when the Bucs’ open a three-game series against Colorado, but he won’t be the starter. Kelly says Chandler will begin his MLB career as a bulk reliever and is “going to have the opportunity to earn starts.” He’ll also compete for a spot in the Pirates’ rotation in spring training. Chandler has had a rough second half at Indianapolis. This season he is 4-5 in 24 starts with a 4.05 ERA.
On the injury front, senior director of sports medicine Todd Tomczyk said yesterday that relievers Tim Mayza and Justin Lawrence were both feeling well after their rehab appearances for Bradenton on Tuesday. Both threw in a game for the first time since April. They’ll both move up in the Pirates’ system for two more appearances this weekend.
Tomczyk said centerfielder Oneil Cruz is working out and swinging a bat but is not ready to return from his concussion. Pitcher Jared Jones will visit his surgeon next month to determine if he’s ready to begin throwing again. Catcher Endy Rodriguez has no ligament damage in his surgically-repaired elbow and infielder Enmanual Valdez remains on track to begin playing baseball again in October.
