Each day during spring training for the Pittsburgh Pirates, Pirates Breakdown will give you game recaps, news updates, and video of player and coach interviews, highlights, and more from the day.
Unfortunately for the Pittsburgh Pirates, today’s game against the Twins was rained out. In more bad news, the Pirates lost LHP Jesse Biddle on waivers today to the Atlanta Braves. Biddle was recovering from Tommy John surgery and was expected to miss all of 2016. The Pirates acquired Biddle in hopes of waiting out the former first round pick’s recovery due to his upside. In the process of acquiring Biddle, the Pirates also lost arguably an Arquimedes Caminero clone in Yoervis Medina, who was sent to the Braves in a trade for Biddle. Medina has pitched 2.2 innings this spring without allowing an earned run on two hits, while striking out five and walking two.
The Braves have claimed LHP Jesse Biddle on waivers. Pirates had traded for him (for Yoervis Medina), then DFA'd him to add David Freese.
— Stephen J. Nesbitt (@stephenjnesbitt) March 19, 2016
Tomorrow, the Colombian national team will play for a spot in the World Baseball Classic in the final game of the Panama qualifier at 7:00 PM. Harold Ramirez and Tito Polo are both on the Colombian team. Ramirez has hit just .182 (2 for 11) in the two games, after going 11-19 with the Pirates this spring before leaving on Monday. Polo has been used strictly as a defensive replacement.
Austin Meadows also successfully underwent surgery to repair the orbital fracture he suffered playing catch this week, as reported by Stephen Nesbitt on Twitter.
#Pirates prospect Austin Meadows had successful surgery to repair the orbital fracture. Estimated time for return: 6-8 weeks.
— Stephen J. Nesbitt (@stephenjnesbitt) March 19, 2016
A.J. Burnett suffered a similar injury in 2012, and he recovered in about six weeks. The difference is that Meadows is a prospect. The delay will certainly force him to spend time in extended spring training. He was expected to make it to Indianapolis this season, possibly even being in line for a September promotion similar to the Elias Diaz situation last season. The latter is almost certainly unlikely at this point, while the prior may be significantly delayed.
The Pirates were scheduled to take on the Minnesota Twins at McKechnie Field today until rain interrupted their plans.
Today’s game between the #Pirates and #Twins at McKechnie Field has been cancelled due to rain. pic.twitter.com/qb9LzPJiIl
— Pittsburgh Pirates (@Pirates) March 19, 2016
Here was today’s starting lineup:
Here's the lineup and a few notes for today.
We're on the radio!📻 @937theFan & the PRN pic.twitter.com/5JxgTWUKa3
— Pittsburgh Pirates (@Pirates) March 19, 2016
No real surprises here, with the exception of Jordy Mercer batting leadoff in front of Andrew McCutchen, who was once again relegated to batting second. McCutchen went 1 for 3, including a mammoth home run on the first pitch he saw, batting second on Thursday. Manager Clint Hurdle has said the team is going to try out batting McCutchen second in the second half of spring training, and it could even translate into McCutchen seeing less time in the third spot during the regular season if all goes well.
One of the other stories was seeing Jung Ho Kang and Byung-ho Park for the first time since Kang played in Korea, as Kang never left Bradenton during the off-season as he recovered from his severe leg injury.
Jung Ho Kang and Byung Ho Park meet at McKechnie Field this morning before the @Pirates game vs @Twins. #TribBUCN pic.twitter.com/vUzVEFMWm3
— Christopher Horner (@Hornerfoto1) March 19, 2016
We asked you on Twitter which of the Korean powerhouses you thought would have the better season. Here’s how you guys voted:
As Kang and Park met earlier today before the #Pirates and #Twins face off, who has the better season offensively?
— Jason Rollison (@jrollisonpgh) March 19, 2016
The rain didn’t derail the progress of pitchers, however. Jon Niese pitched an extended bullpen session inside, according to Adam Berry. A.J. Schugel will pitch tomorrow vs. the Toronto Blue Jays, and it may be the last opportunity for former Pirates catchers Russell Martin and Tony Sanchez to see their former teammates this spring.
Jon Niese will get his work in today in the indoor cages. Pirates' pitching plans stay in order: A.J. Schugel starting tomorrow vs. Jays.
— Adam Berry (@adamdberry) March 19, 2016
Finally, earlier today, Pirates Breakdown broke the news that the beloved Budweiser Bow Tie Bar would not be heading north with the team for the 2016 season. Instead, Labatt will be the re-branding partner moving forward.
Sources tell us there will be no Bow tie Bar at PNC Park this year, as Labatt will be stepping in as a re branding partner
— Jason Rollison (@jrollisonpgh) March 19, 2016
That concludes coverage for all of today’s main stories. Check back tomorrow for post-game coverage of the Pirates-Blue Jays game, as well as several interesting articles we plan to have for you.
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