Pittsburgh Pirates Wake-Up Call – Perfect Time to Get Healthy

In our daily Wake-Up Call, we get you ready for the day with a complete look at all things Pittsburgh Pirates.

The Pirates had an off-day at the perfect time today after playing essentially two games on Sunday against the Nationals. Now, the Pirates move on to an easier part of their schedule, as they begin two home series against the Brewers and the Phillies over the next week. In fact, they don’t play another team currently in a playoff position until a series against the Dodgers on August 12th. The toughest team in that stretch is arguably the Mariners, who are hovering around .500. The Pirates are still within striking distance of the Wild Card right now, and this is the time to capitalize.

Not only is their schedule getting easier, but the team is getting healthier as well. Jameson Taillon is set to come off the disabled list and start tonight as he looks to make a significant impact during the second half of the season; the Pirates will certainly need him to.

Francisco Cervelli also seems close to returning…

Francisco Cervelli is not in Indianapolis. He might be at St. Elmo's getting a steak, but presumably is going back to the Pirates.

— Brian Peloza (@BrianPeloza) July 18, 2016

Cervelli’s return would be a huge upgrade for the Pirates, even if he is having a down year offensively. It would mean getting rid of Erik Kratz, who has done nothing for the Pirates in his short stay with the team, and it would also benefit the pitching staff. Cervelli has a lot more experience with the staff than Eric Fryer or Kratz do, and he would also be very beneficial for young guys like Taillon and Chad Kuhl.

However, Gregory Polanco could head to the disabled list as the corresponding move for Taillon. If he does, the team would make the move retroactive to July 9th, and he would be eligible to return to the team next Sunday the 24th. It wouldn’t hurt to have Polanco heal up some more before returning, and if there’s ever a good time to miss game time, it’d be in series against the Brewers and Phillies. Once Polanco gets back, the only players the Pirates would be waiting on would be Chris Stewart, Ryan Vogelsong, and Elias Diaz. Getting healthy just in time for the stretch run is the perfect time to do so.

Baseball Talk from Around the Web

• Chris Correa, former scouting director of the St. Louis Cardinals, was sentenced to nearly four years in prison by a federal judge yesterday. Correa was involved with hacking into computer systems of the Houston Astros and pleaded guilty to various criminal charges.
• The Twins fired longtime General Manager Terry Ryan yesterday as the team sat at an American League-worst 33-58. Assistant GM Rob Antony will take over on an interim basis.
• Matt Snyder of CBS Sports gives you five trade deadline stories to watch, each of which could impact the Pirates trade plans.

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