The Pirates were swept by the Braves in a three-game series last month in Atlanta, but since that time, the Braves have the worst record in baseball, 7-16.
Tonight, the Bucs get another shot at the NL East leaders. Joe Block has a preview.
Skenes will be opposed by Braves’ right-hander Hurston Waldrep (0-0, 3.68 ERA). Airtime is 6:15, first pitch at 6:40 on WCCS.
MINOR LEAGUE SHUFFLE
The Pirates have released Indianapolis infielder Davis Wendzel to make room on the 40-man roster for right-handed pitcher Noah Murdock. The 27-year-old Murdock was signed in the offseason after making his Major League debut last year with the A’s. He had an upward mobility clause in his contract that would have allowed him to become a free agent on July 1st if he was not on the 40-man roster. He is 2-2 with a 4.11 ERA this season in thirty-and-two-thirds innings for Bradenton, Altoona, and Indianapolis.
Wendzel played in two games for the Pirates last month, going 0-for-4, and he’s previously played in the Majors with the Rangers, in 2024. He hit .230 with ten home runs and 38 RBIs for Indy this season.
NO CUTCH FOR BRAVES
Pirates fans hoping to see Andrew McCutchen on the field this week for the Braves are out of luck. McCutchen signed a minor league contract with Atlanta last week. He is assigned initially to the Florida Gulf Coast League to get his timing back and then will be promoted to Triple-A Gwinnett. McCutchen hit .192 in 37 games with the Rangers before being released on May 27th.
Atlanta recently released another former Pirate, first baseman Rowdy Tellez.
BUCS FAMILY MOURNS ALFONZO’S SAD NEWS
Pirates chairman Bob Nutting released a statement yesterday saying the team is “heartbroken by the tragic loss of Omar Alfonzo’s mother, Patricia, and sister, Eliana, following the devastating earthquake in Venezuela.” Alfonzo, a catcher with the Altoona Curve, left the team last week to go home and search for his 50-year-old mother and 16-year-old sister, whose bodies were found Sunday.
Comments