On the first day of workouts for pitchers and catchers, the Pirates signed one of each…veteran catcher Yasmani Grandal inked his one-year $2.5 million contract and another vet, left-handed pitcher Josh Fleming, signed a one-year split contract that will earn him a salary of $850,000 in the big leagues and $240,000 for time spent in the minors.
Fleming said the Pirates have told him he will start or be a long reliever. He was 2-0 with a 4.70 ERA in 12 appearances with Tampa Bay and Philadelphia last season.
To clear roster space for Grandal and Fleming, the Pirates placed pitcher Johan Oviedo and catcher Endy Rodriguez on the 60-day injured list. Both will miss this season after having Tommy John surgery.
Manager Derek Shelton is ready to go as he begins his fifth season with the Bucs.
One of the most-watched Pirates in Bradenton will be last season’s top overall draft pick, pitcher Paul Skenes, who has been described as a “generational talent”. Skenes says he is just working on making the team.
Two-time All-Star closer David Bednar is excited about the Pirates’ bullpen, which it says will be formidable with the Aroldis Chapman signing.
Pirates position players are required to report on Monday, but many are already in Bradenton. Ke’Bryan Hayes, Bryan Reynolds, Oneil Cruz, Jack Suwinski, and Rowdy Tellez were all on the field yesterday.
MLB
ESPN reports that Major League Baseball intends to strictly enforce the obstruction rule around the bases, instructing umpires to be more diligent in calling the infraction. Obstruction is defined as the act of a fielder who, while not in possession of the ball and not in the act of fielding the ball, impedes the progress of any runner.
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