Pirates ship off homerless Matt Diaz to Atlanta
The Pittsburgh Pirates have traded 33 year old outfielder Matt Diaz to the Atlanta Braves for a player to be named later or cash considerations. Diaz, 33, was batting .259 with 0 home runs and 19 RBI’s in 100 games played for the Pirates. He had a remarkable 0 home runs in 216 at-bats. A benefit for the Pirates is that they were able to get Diaz contract off the books for next season. He is due $2.125 million in 2012, the final year of a two year deal he signed last off-season. Prior to signing with the Pirates in 2011, Diaz spent the previous five seasons (2006-2010) with Atlanta.
Pirates News: John Bowker traded to Phillies for PTBNL or Cash
The Pittsburgh Pirates this morning have traded outfielder John Bowker to the World Series favorite Philadelphia Phillies in-exchange for a player to be named later or cash considerations. Bowker is hitting .306 with 15 home runs and 76 RBI’s for Triple-A Indianapolis.
Charlie Batch to start preseason finale
Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger will sit out the Steelers preseason finale. Charlie Batch will get the start. Roethlisberger was 11-for-16 for 214 yards and 2 touchdowns in the Steelers 34-16 victory against Atlanta on Saturday night and is 21 of 31 for 361 yards and 4 touchdowns in the preseason. WR Jerricho Cotchery, OLB Chris Carter, CB Ike Taylor have also been ruled out.
Inside look at the Steelers updated depth chart
Depth Chart Buzz The Steelers released their updated depth chart last night and made four more cuts this morning to get down to the mandatory 80-man roster. The team must have their roster at 53 by Saturday, September 3rd. Here is an updated look at the current depth chart released by the team. Some of the changes on the depth chart are believed to be pointed towards Thursday’s preseason finale and not necessarily how things will look for week 1. Offense Decisions that still need to be made on the offensive side of the ball include: the No. 2 quarterback with the injury to Byron Leftwich, starting right guard position, final depth spots on the O-line, No. 3 tight end spot
CB Keenan Lewis participates in some of today’s practice
Cornerback Keenan Lewis (knee) did participate in some of today’s practice at the Southside Complex. Lewis practiced a little bit and his knee injury is not serious and he could still be an option to play in Thursday’s preseason finale.
Pouncey dealing with calcium buildup
Center Maurkice Pouncey (ankle) does not expect to miss the Steelers regular season opener on September 11th. Pouncey said today that he is dealing with calcium buildup that causes discomfort and soreness for a short time. It’s something Pouncey will likely have to deal with for a while.
Concerns mounting about how effective Harrison will be early in the season
When training camp opened up, James Harrison proclaimed that he was only at 75-to-80 percent following off-season back surgery and didn’t know when he would be 100 percent. For some reason, that went completely unnoticed by most of the media as the focus was all about Harrison’s controversial comments. Harrison’s back is not going to be an afterthought anymore. Immediately as the first half ended last night, what caught my attention the most was not about how dangerous the Steelers offense has the potential to be but how James Harrison just doesn’t look right. Harrison looks to be out of football shape but most concerning is that he struggled to get any kind of push on the line of scrimmage.
Roethlisberger red-hot in final tune up for regular season
Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger was 11-for-16 for 214 yards and 2 touchdowns in the Steelers 34-16 victory. Roethlisberger hit Antonio Brown for two touchdown strikes and is 21 of 31 for 361 yards and 4 touchdowns in the preseason. Roethlisberger had one big miss in Saturday’s game, just missing Hines Ward on a deep ball down the middle for an easy six. The Steelers first team offense is in top form and ready to go for the regular season.
Post-Game: Leftwich has broken arm; Injury updates on Pouncey, Lewis & Chavis
The quarterback situation appears to have settled itself. No. 2 quarterback Byron Leftwich suffered a broken arm and will be out for an extended period of time and possibly done for the season. This is the second straight preseason where Leftwich suffered a significant injury. Defensive end turned tight end Miguel Chavis has a torn pectorial and is likely done for the season.
Pirates officially callup Alex Presley and Chase d’Arnaud
The Pittsburgh Pirates will have speed at the top of their lineup from here on out, as the team this afternoon recalled Alex Presley and Chase d’Arnaud. Presley will be in the lineup, batting 2nd and starting in left field. d’Arnaud will not be in the starting lineup. The Pirates optioned Pedro Ciriaco and Aaron Thompson. Tonight’s Lineup 1. Jose Tabata, RF 2. Alex Presley, LF 3. Andrew McCutchen, CF 4. Neil Walker, 2B 5. Garrett Jones, 1B 6. Josh Harrison, 3B 7. Ronny Cedeno, SS 8. Michael McKenry, C 9. Charlie Morton, P