Things were looking grim again for the Pirates as they skidded toward their sixth straight loss coming out of the All-Star break, but they managed to turn the game around and rally for a win over Cleveland. Joe Block reports.
The Pirates are off today and head back to the West Coast to open a weekend series at Anaheim, which will throw Shohei Otahni tomorrow night. They may be catching him at the right time, at least as a pitcher. He has a 5.51 ERA in his last three starts. Johan Oviedo will pitch for the Bucs.
Ke’Bryan Hayes yesterday addressed rumors that he is unhappy in Pittsburgh and would be willing to accept a trade. He said the report on the Pirates’ flagship station was untrue and that he has always loved being in Pittsburgh and the fans have always treated him well. Hayes has been out of the lineup for most of the month with the same back condition he suffered from last year and that, he says, has him frustrated.
Hayes took infield practice yesterday with Oneil Cruz playing shortstop and Ji Hwan Bae at second. All three are out of the lineup and director of sports medicine Todd Tomczyk included them in his injury update. Hayes will likely require a rehab stint at Indianapolis before he returns. Bae’s sprained ankle will keep him from being with the team on their West Coast road trip and Cruz is a long way from returning but making progress.
Tomczyk also said Wil Crowe, who was designated for assignment yesterday, and Jose Hernandez, came out of their most recent rehab outings for Indy “feeling pretty good”, and pitcher Max Kranick, who is returning from Tommy John surgery, is in the midst of “exciting times” and will probably be ready for a rehab game or a simulated game this weekend. Pitcher Jarlin Garcia, out all season with a bicep nerve problem, has been throwing for about three weeks but has no formal throwing program yet.
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ALTOONA CURVE
Despite Claudio Finol’s three hits, including a home run, and two hits for Matt Fraizer, Altoona was beaten by Reading, 8-2.
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