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ROSTER REPORT
MEDICAL WATCH:
--RHP Jeff Karstens (right shoulder discomfort and general arm fatigue) missed his turn in the rotation Sept. 6. He had a turn skipped two starts ago for shoulder discomfort. A return this season seems unlikely but has not been ruled out.
--RHP Evan Meek (bruised right hand) was injured Aug. 29 when struck by a line drive. He didn't pitch Aug. 30-Sept. 5, but he returned to action Sept. 6.
--RHP Ross Ohlendorf (strained muscles behind right shoulder) went on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to Aug. 24, and he was transferred to the 60-day DL on Sept. 6. He won't need surgery, but he is out for the season.
--1B Jeff Clement (left knee irritation/pulled oblique muscle) went on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to Aug. 21, and he was transferred to the 60-day DL on Sept. 6. He began a rehab assignment Sept. 1 with Class AAA Indianapolis, but he was shut down for the season after two games due to a pulled oblique muscle.
--1B Steve Pearce (sprained right ankle) went on the 15-day disabled list May 25. He began a minor league rehab assignment June 17, but he was shut down in early July because of tendinitis in his left knee. He had season-ending knee surgery and was transferred to the 60-day DL on Aug. 4.
--RHP Jose Ascanio (arthroscopic right shoulder surgery in October 2009) went on the 60-day disabled list retroactive to March 26. He began a minor league rehab assignment Aug. 2. He then bruised his right hand in a home accident and was told Aug. 17 that the hand needed to be in a splint for three to four weeks.
ROTATION:
LHP Paul Maholm
LHP Zach Duke
RHP James McDonald
RHP Charlie Morton
LHP Brian Burres
BULLPEN:
RHP Joel Hanrahan (closer)
RHP Evan Meek
RHP Sean Gallagher
LHP Wil Ledezma
RHP Chris Resop
RHP Chan Ho Park
RHP Daniel McCutchen
RHP Joe Martinez
RHP Brad Lincoln
LHP Justin Thomas
RHP Brian Bass
RHP Steven Jackson
RHP Jeff Karstens
CATCHERS:
Chris Snyder
Ryan Doumit
Jason Jaramillo
INFIELDERS:
1B Garrett Jones
2B Neil Walker
SS Ronny Cedeno
3B Pedro Alvarez
INF Andy LaRoche
INF Argenis Diaz
INF Pedro Ciriaco
OUTFIELDERS:
LF Jose Tabata
CF Andrew McCutchen
RF Lastings Milledge
OF John Bowker
OF/INF Delwyn Young
OF Brandon Moss
OF Alex Presley
 
Toronto Blue Jays - Dana Eveland - Ted Lilly - Left-handedness - Neal Huntington
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NOTES, QUOTES
--RHP Jeff Karstens, if he is able to return from arm fatigue this season, will pitch out of the bullpen, manager John Russell said. Russell said he would stay with a five-man rotation and that LHP Brian Burres would be part of it.
--RHP Brad Lincoln, limited to bullpen duty for Pittsburgh this month after his last two starts for Class AAA Indianapolis were hampered due to a stiff neck, said his neck feels better. Lincoln failed to get through three innings in either of those starts and said he was "pitching just to show I could pitch." Manager John Russell reiterated that the Pirates' long-term plans is to use Lincoln as a starter.
--RF Brandon Moss probably won't see much action this month, given that Ryan Doumit, Lastings Milledge and John Bowker already were splitting time at the position. But Moss was hardly about to complain upon returning to the majors Tuesday after performing poorly in 2009, then in spring training, then to open this season with Class AAA Indianapolis. He went on to belt 22 home runs with 96 RBI for Indianapolis, and he was chosen the team's MVP. "Oh, I am so happy to be back," Moss said with a broad smile. "I can't tell you I expected this, but I really appreciate it." Manager John Russell said of finding time for Moss: "We'll see what opportunity there is for him, but he certainly deserved to be called up."
--2B Neil Walker extended his hitting streak to 13 games, now the Pirates' longest of the season, with a home run. Walker is batting .403 (23-for-57) during the streak with five home runs, five doubles, two triples and 16 RBI. "All I'm doing is going to the plate thinking about my own approach, not worrying who's on the mound or anything like that," Walker said.
--RHP Evan Meek was cleared to pitch after missing a week to a bruised right hand, and he turned in a scoreless eighth inning despite allowing a hit and a walk. "I just wanted to stay within myself, throw strikes," Meek said.
--3B Pedro Alvarez, in addition to a double to deep center, made a terrific -- possibly game-saving -- play on a slow roller up the line by Atlanta's Martin Prado with bases loaded in the seventh inning. "Just outstanding," C Ryan Doumit said. "That was the difference right there."
--LF Jose Tabata was right back in the lineup after being hit on the left thumb by a pitch Sunday. He said he had no discomfort or swelling, and he went 1-for-4 with an RBI groundout.
--SS Ronny Cedeno's streak of games with a double ended at five. Still, his total of 26 doubles ranks fifth in the National League among players at his position. He also has one as a pinch hitter.
BY THE NUMBERS: 113 -- That is the franchise record for losses in a season, set by the 1890 Pittsburg Alleghenys, who went 23-113, and it looks very much within reach for the current team that projects to go 53-109. The worst team in franchise history in Major League Baseball's modern era -- 1900 and on -- was the 1952 Pirates team that went 42-112.
QUOTE TO NOTE: "Yeah, we've set a lot of records this year." -- Pirates manager John Russell, responding ruefully to a Milwaukee reporter's question about having five pitchers with double-digit losses.
Toronto Blue Jays - Dana Eveland - Ted Lilly - Left-handedness - Neal Huntington
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INSIDE PITCH
The Pirates' original plan for September recalls was to have a "moderate" number, as general manager Neal Huntington had laid it out, but that ended up blossoming into eight additions Monday: Outfielders Brandon Moss and Alex Presley, shortstop Pedro Ciriaco, catcher Jason Jaramillo and pitchers Brad Lincoln, Justin Thomas, Brian Bass and Steven Jackson.
All came from Class AAA Indianapolis, and Presley, Moss, Bass and Jackson needed to be added to the 40-man roster. To make room for those four, pitcher Ross Ohlendorf and first baseman Jeff Clement were placed on the 60-day disabled list, officially their seasons. Also, the team designated for assignment infielder Aki Iwamura and catcher Erik Kratz.
Presley and Moss were Indianapolis' top performers, Presley amassing 166 hits between Class AA Altoona and Indianapolis, and Moss batting .265 with 22 home runs and 96 RBI.
Thing is, the outfield already was crowded with players the Pirates want to see, especially right field with Lastings Milledge, Ryan Doumit and John Bowker.
"It is going to be a challenge to get at-bats for the outfielders," Huntington said. "Bowker's ability to play first will help. Presley's focus will be more left and center. Moss and Bowker can play either corner outfield."
The pitchers were called up mostly as bullpen reinforcements. That includes Lincoln, who originally was targeted to start all through September, but a stiff neck and another poor outing Monday for Indianapolis nixed that. Lincoln will instead focus on side sessions with pitching coach Ray Searage and will pitch some relief.
"He will likely begin his September in a controlled role out of the bullpen," Huntington said. "His return to health and development will dictate how much and in what role he will pitch."
PIRATES 3, BRAVES 1: 2B Neil Walker hit a tiebreaking two-run home run in the sixth inning, and LHP Brian Burres made a strong emergency start in limiting Atlanta to one run and five hits over six innings. "Really, I was just focused from batter to batter, not letting things get out of control," Burres said. Manager John Russell said Burres might now stay in the rotation, especially given the injuries to RHPs Ross Ohlendorf and Jeff Karstens.
Toronto Blue Jays - Dana Eveland - Ted Lilly - Left-handedness - Neal Huntington
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Free-agent frenzy: Claim SPs Slowey, Porcello
Pick up emerging pitchers and hitters to help.
Ron Gardenhire - Kevin Slowey - Baseball - Shopping - Twins
-
Padres 4, Dodgers 2
The San Diego Padres can finally exhale. Their 10-game losing
streak is over.
Los Angeles Dodgers - San Diego Padres - Mat Latos - National League West - Tim Stauffer
-
Staggering Padres scratch Latos vs Dodgers
The staggering San Diego Padres scratched ace Mat Latos from
Monday night's start against rival Los Angeles due to stomach
flu.
San Diego Padres - Mat Latos - San Diego - United States - California
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ROSTER REPORT
MEDICAL WATCH:
--RHP Jeff Karstens (right shoulder discomfort and general arm fatigue) missed his turn in the rotation Sept. 6. He had a turn skipped two starts ago for shoulder discomfort. A return this season seems unlikely but has not been ruled out.
--RHP Evan Meek (bruised right hand) was injured Aug. 29 when struck by a line drive. He didn't pitch Aug. 30-Sept. 5, but he returned to action Sept. 6.
--RHP Ross Ohlendorf (strained late muscle behind right shoulder) went on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to Aug. 24, and he was transferred to the 60-day DL on Sept. 6. He won't need surgery, but he is out for the season.
--1B Jeff Clement (left knee irritation/pulled oblique muscle) went on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to Aug. 21, and he was transferred to the 60-day DL on Sept. 6. He began a rehab assignment Sept. 1 with Class AAA Indianapolis, but he was shut down for the season after two games due to a pulled oblique muscle.
--1B Steve Pearce (sprained right ankle) went on the 15-day disabled list May 25. He began a minor league rehab assignment June 17, but he was shut down in early July because of tendinitis in his left knee. He had season-ending knee surgery and was transferred to the 60-day DL on Aug. 4.
--RHP Jose Ascanio (arthroscopic right shoulder surgery in October 2009) went on the 60-day disabled list retroactive to March 26. He began a minor league rehab assignment Aug. 2. He then bruised his right hand in a home accident and was told Aug. 17 that the hand needed to be in a splint for three to four weeks.
ROTATION:
LHP Paul Maholm
RHP Jeff Karstens
LHP Zach Duke
RHP James McDonald
RHP Charlie Morton
LHP Brian Burres
BULLPEN:
RHP Joel Hanrahan (closer)
RHP Evan Meek
RHP Sean Gallagher
LHP Wil Ledezma
RHP Chris Resop
RHP Chan Ho Park
RHP Daniel McCutchen
RHP Joe Martinez
RHP Brad Lincoln
LHP Justin Thomas
RHP Brian Bass
RHP Steven Jackson
CATCHERS:
Chris Snyder
Ryan Doumit
Jason Jaramillo
INFIELDERS:
1B Garrett Jones
2B Neil Walker
SS Ronny Cedeno
3B Pedro Alvarez
INF Andy LaRoche
INF Argenis Diaz
INF Pedro Ciriaco
OUTFIELDERS:
LF Jose Tabata
CF Andrew McCutchen
RF Lastings Milledge
OF John Bowker
OF/INF Delwyn Young
OF Brandon Moss
OF Alex Presley
Toronto Blue Jays - Dana Eveland - Ted Lilly - Left-handedness - Neal Huntington
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NOTES, QUOTES
--2B Neil Walker extended his hitting streak to 13 games, now the Pirates' longest of the season, with a home run. Walker is batting .403 (23-for-57) during the streak with five home runs, five doubles, two triples and 16 RBI. "All I'm doing is going to the plate thinking about my own approach, not worrying who's on the mound or anything like that," Walker said.
--RHP Evan Meek was cleared to pitch after missing a week to a bruised right hand, and he turned in a scoreless eighth inning despite allowing a hit and a walk. "I just wanted to stay within myself, throw strikes," Meek said.
--3B Pedro Alvarez, in addition to a double to deep center, made a terrific -- possibly game-saving -- play on a slow roller up the line by Atlanta's Martin Prado with bases loaded in the seventh inning. "Just outstanding," C Ryan Doumit said. "That was the difference right there."
--LF Jose Tabata was right back in the lineup after being hit on the left thumb by a pitch Sunday. He said he had no discomfort or swelling, and he went 1-for-4 with an RBI groundout.
--SS Ronny Cedeno's streak of games with a double ended at five. Still, his total of 26 doubles ranks fifth in the National League among players at his position. He also has one as a pinch hitter.
BY THE NUMBERS: 113 -- That is the franchise record for losses in a season, set by the 1890 Pittsburg Alleghenys, who went 23-113, and it looks very much within reach for the current team that projects to go 53-109. The worst team in franchise history in Major League Baseball's modern era -- 1900 and on -- was the 1952 Pirates team that went 42-112.
QUOTE TO NOTE: "Yeah, we've set a lot of records this year." -- Pirates manager John Russell, responding ruefully to a Milwaukee reporter's question about having five pitchers with double-digit losses.
Toronto Blue Jays - Dana Eveland - Ted Lilly - Left-handedness - Neal Huntington
-
INSIDE PITCH
The Pirates' original plan for September recalls was to have a "moderate" number, as general manager Neal Huntington had laid it out, but that ended up blossoming into eight additions Monday: Outfielders Brandon Moss and Alex Presley, shortstop Pedro Ciriaco, catcher Jason Jaramillo and pitchers Brad Lincoln, Justin Thomas, Brian Bass and Steven Jackson.
All came from Class AAA Indianapolis, and Presley, Moss, Bass and Jackson needed to be added to the 40-man roster. To make room for those four, pitcher Ross Ohlendorf and first baseman Jeff Clement were placed on the 60-day disabled list, officially their seasons. Also, the team designated for assignment infielder Aki Iwamura and catcher Erik Kratz.
Presley and Moss were Indianapolis' top performers, Presley amassing 166 hits between Class AA Altoona and Indianapolis, and Moss batting .265 with 22 home runs and 96 RBI.
Thing is, the outfield already was crowded with players the Pirates want to see, especially right field with Lastings Milledge, Ryan Doumit and John Bowker.
"It is going to be a challenge to get at-bats for the outfielders," Huntington said. "Bowker's ability to play first will help. Presley's focus will be more left and center. Moss and Bowker can play either corner outfield."
The pitchers were called up mostly as bullpen reinforcements. That includes Lincoln, who originally was targeted to start all through September, but a stiff neck and another poor outing Monday for Indianapolis nixed that. Lincoln will instead focus on side sessions with pitching coach Ray Searage and will pitch some in relief.
"He will likely begin his September in a controlled role out of the bullpen," Huntington said. "His return to health and development will dictate how much and in what role he will pitch."
PIRATES 3, BRAVES 1: 2B Neil Walker hit a tiebreaking two-run home run in the sixth inning, and LHP Brian Burres made a strong emergency start in limiting Atlanta to one run and five hits over six innings. "Really, I was just focused from batter to batter, not letting things get out of control," Burres said. Manager John Russell said Burres might now stay in the rotation, especially given the injuries to RHPs Ross Ohlendorf and Jeff Karstens.
Toronto Blue Jays - Dana Eveland - Ted Lilly - Left-handedness - Neal Huntington
-
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