The Pirates are entering the final days of spring training, and the roster is taking shape. The Bucs will play the Twins today and tomorrow, then have Wednesday off to travel to Chicago for Thursday’s season opener against the Cubs.
Manager Derek Shelton has not announced an opening day lineup for the Bucs, but it will most likely include Colin Moran at first base, Adam Frazier at second, Kevin Newman at shortstop, and Ke’Bryan Hayes at third, with Bryan Reynolds in left, Anthony Alford in center, and Gregory Polanco in right field. Jacob Stallings is set at catcher, and Shelton still has not announced whether he will use a five-man or six-man pitching rotation, or how many pitchers there will be in the bullpen. Tony Wolters has earned the backup catcher’s job, and Eric Gonzalez will be the super-sub in the infield. With Todd Frazier’s opt-out over the weekend, Phillip Evans seems to have the job as the reserve corner infielder. Shelton still has to sort out options in the outfield.
Greg Brown previews today’s action in Bradenton.
The Red Sox placed eight players in covid-19 contact tracing Sunday, one day after reliever Matt Barnes tested positive. The club did not identify the eight. They played the Pirates on Saturday.
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