The Pirates yesterday traded relief pitcher Kyle Nicolas to the Central Division-rival Reds in exchange for utility infielder/outfielder Tyler Callihan. He’s a 25-year-old who was drafted in the third round in 2019. He played in four games with the Reds last season, going 1-for-6 before suffering a season-ending fractured left forearm when he ran into the outfield wall in Atlanta on May 5th. Callihan was Cincinnati’s 19th-ranked prospect.
Nicolas was acquired in the Jacob Stallings trade with the Marlins in 2021. He made 86 appearances for the Pirates with a 4.86 ERA in parts of three seasons.
Mitch Keller starts for the Pirates today against the Cardinals in Bradenton.
WBC
The World Baseball Classic began yesterday with Australia shutting out Chinese Taipei 3-0 in Tokyo. Korea and Czechia play early today and the Aussies will play the Czechs later at night.
The United States opens pool play tomorrow against Brazil in Houston. Mexico, Italy and Great Britain are also in America’s group.
