The Pirates beat the braves yesterday, 5-3, as Adam Frazier and last year’s number-one draft choice, Nick Gonzalez each homered, and JT Brubaker went five innings on the mound.
Brubaker gave up only three hits, but two of them were home runs. He struck out six and walked one.
Manager Derek Shelton says the Pirates have had a good camp.
Shelton says his pitching staff will need plenty of help this season, and he’s not even sure how many pitchers he will take north with the team next week when the season starts in Chicago.
Shelton says Adam Frazier’s hot bat this spring is the result of his swing looks like the swing of two years ago.
The Bucs optioned shortstop Cole Tucker to the minors yesterday. Six other players were sent out as well, although most of them will be hanging out with the big league team for the rest of camp. Pitchers Sean Poppen and Miguel Yajure, first baseman Will Craig, catchers Joe Hudson and Andrew Susac, and outfielder Troy Stokes Jr. were all reassigned.
Two pitchers the Pirates were counting on are now out with significant injuries. Starter Steven Brault will not throw a baseball for the next month as he heals from a “moderate” strained latissimus dorsi muscle in his back. The strain caused tightness in Brault’s arm last Friday in a game against the Orioles. Director of sports medicine Todd Tomczyk says it will take about 10 weeks to get Brault back to top form.
Flame-throwing reliever Blake Cederlind will have Tommy John surgery today and miss the next 14 to 18 months.
The Pirates play the Orioles today on WCCS at 1:00. Sean Poppen will get the start.
