The Pirates yesterday officially hired Brent Strom as an assistant pitching coach for the upcoming season. He will assist pitching coach Oscar Marin in fortifying a young Bucs’ rotation, consisting of NL Rookie of the Year Paul Skenes, Jared Jones, and Mitch Keller, along with prospects Bubba Chandler and Thomas Harrington.
Strom has worked with a Cy Young Award finalist in seven of the past eight seasons with Houston and Arizona, even winning a World Series with the Astros in 2017.
Strom said he considered retiring after last season, but he couldn’t pass up the opportunity to work with the Pirates given their ability to develop prospects.
MLB Insider Ken Rosenthal says outfielder Bryan Reynolds could have a part-time role playing first base next season. Last year’s first basemen Rowdy Tellez and Connor Joe were released in August and November, respectively. Reynolds has never played first base but worked out there before several games last season.
The Pirates also re-signed RHP Isaac Mattson to a minor league contract, according to the team’s transaction page. He had a 5.06 ERA in 5-and-one-third innings for the Pirates last season.
MLB
The Sacremento A’s signed RHP Luis Severino to a three-year contract worth $67 million. He went 11-7 with a 3.91 ERA in 182 innings with the Mets last season.
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