The Pirates enter tonight’s action in third place in the National League Central Division, eleven-and-a-half games behind the Brewers, but just four-and-a-half games out of second place, behind tonight’s opponent, the Cubs. They are one game behind the Diamondbacks for the last Wild Card slot in the NL, and the Diamondbacks are their next opponent, starting Monday. So, the next two series are key for the Buccos.
Joe Block takes a look at tonight’s pitching matchup against Chicago.
The Pirates yesterday reached into the San Diego Padres’ bullpen to try to find a reliable arm in the relief corps, trading some of their international signing bonus pool money for 31-year-old right-hander Ron Marinaccio, who is 1-0 with a 4.79 ERA in 47 innings over 33 games this season. In a corresponding move, former closer Dennis Santana was designated for assignment.
Marinaccio was a 19th-round draft pick of the Yankees in 2017 and pitched in the Bronx for parts of three seasons after his Major League debut in 2022. He was claimed off waivers by the White Sox in January of last year and traded to the Padres before ever taking the mound for Chicago.
HORWITZ MAKES SECOND REHAB START
First baseman Spencer Horwitz was back in the lineup for Bradenton in a 2-0 loss to Dunedin last night. In his second rehab appearance, Horwitz was 0-for-3 and struck out twice.
DRAFT TRACKER
The Pirates signed four more draft picks yesterday, including their second-round selection, high school shortstop Aiden Ruiz from Stony Brook, New York. The third-round pick, North Carolina right-handed pitcher Jason DeCaro, also signed, along with the fourth-round choice, outfielder Andruw Giles, out of the Basic Academy of International Studies in Nevada. The final signee yesterday was a left-handed pitcher, eleventh-round selection Spencer Evans, from the TNXL Academy in Florida.
Number-one draft pick Derek Curiel is still not signed, along with five other picks. The 18th-round choice, outfielder Malachi Washington, has already announced he will not sign and will instead play college ball at LSU.
The deadline for signing draft choices is at 5 PM on Monday.
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