The Pirates introduced newly-acquired pitcher Marco Gonzalez yesterday. The 31-year-old left-hander came to Pittsburgh via a trade with Atlanta, just a couple of days after the Braves got him from Seattle, and he said the Bucs want him to be a part of the starting rotation, which is being rebuilt this offseason. Currently, only Mitch Keller is slotted into the rotation for the Pirates, with Johan Oviedo out for the year due to Tommy John surgery.
Gonzalez threw only ten games last season, going 4-1 with a 5.22 ERA before being shut down due to a left forearm strain. He had surgery in August.
In other Pirates injury news, shortstop Oneil Cruz has been playing games in the instructional league in the Dominican Republic. The Pirates are closely monitoring his progress after he missed all but nine games last year with a fractured ankle.
Former Pirates outfielder Vic Davalillo passed away last week from complications related to intestinal surgery. He was either 84 or 87 years of age, depending on the reference you use. He was a member of the 1971 World Series champion Bucs, hitting .285 while serving as Danny Murtaugh’s fourth outfielder. He played three seasons in Pittsburgh and 16 in the Major Leagues.
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