MLB: Pirates won’t pursue a veteran starting pitcher in the off-season

Pirates won’t pursue a veteran starter Photo: David Hague – Inside Pittsburgh Sports The Pirates were somewhat active last off-season searching for a veteran starting pitcher. The team reached out to a number of veterans including Pedro Martinez, Odalis Perez, Braden Looper and even Paul Byrd. This off-season, the organization won’t be looking to sign a veteran starter. The team is prepared to move forward with their current staff that includes 11 game winner Ross Ohlendorf, Kevin Hart and Charlie Morton. Paul Maholm (7-7) had had a disappointing season but Neal Huntington & Co are believers in him and blame his struggles on his health. Maholm has been battling some minor injuries since early June. Zach Duke is the wild

Ohlendorf wins 11th game of the season

Pittsburgh 5 – Milwaukee 2 Photo: David Hague – Inside Pittsburgh Sports Starting pitcher Ross Ohlendorf (11-8) continues to be a bright spot for the last place Pirates as the right hander allowed only one run over seven-plus innings and the Pittsburgh Pirates (48-70) beat the Milwaukee Brewers (58-61) 5-2 Tuesday night at PNC Park Ohlendorf, the Pirates lone 10+ game winner, has three of the Pirates five wins since July 24th and is 4-1 since the All-Star break. “At the beginning of the season, I think I felt pretty good, but I feel a lot better now,” Ohlendorf said. “I feel like I’m throwing the ball much better. I really feel like since I went over my head that’s

Will the Pirates lose 100 games?

Photo: David Hague – Inside Pittsburgh Sports With 51 games remaining in the 2009 season, the question is not whether the Pirates will avoid their 17th straight losing season but the question is whether the Pirates will lose 100 games for second time this decade. In the midst of a 8 game losing streak, and only two wins in their last 15 games, the Pirates begin a 6 game road trip which begins in Colorado (62-50) and ends with a three game series against the Chicago Cubs (58-52). The losing streak could easily reach 14, before the Pirates return home for a 9 game home-stand. To avoid losing 100 games for the first time since 2001, the Pirates have to

Ohlendorf, Pirates shutout streaking Marlins 8-0

Ross Ohlendorf pitched seven scoreless innings, allowing two hits and Nate McLouth drove in four runs as the Pittsburgh Pirates (7-6) beat the Florida Marlins (11-2) 8-0 Monday night at PNC Park. The Pirates snapped the Marlins seven game winning streak, and the win was the Pirates third shutout in four games. Ohlendorf was subperb, notching his first win in a Pirates uniform as the Pirates now have two more shutouts than they had during the entire 2008 season.. As a staff, I think we get along really well and push each other, and it does seem to be breeding confidence and competition between us to see who can pitch the best,” Ohlendorf said. McLouth’s three run homer in the

Tuesday’s News & Notes; Pitcher Rankings through 11 days of workouts; ETA 2009 for Alvarez?

Brian Kelly from Bradenton reports the following Infielder Luis Cruiz will miss 7-10 days with a hip injury. Tough break for Cruiz. Team seems high on him and he’s a sleeper in spring training to make the squad. From what I’ve seen from him, he is a better option than Brian Bixler whose time in the organization is hanging by a thread. Middle infielder Ruben Gotay is seen as a good depth acquisition throughout the organization. The Pirates could still add a few more players in the next 4 weeks as the team has an offer on the table to reliever Will Ohman and remains interested in Pedro Martinez. Eight pitchers threw practice today: Daniel McCutchen, Jeff Karstens, John Grabow,

Spring Training Report

Pirates catchers and pitchers have already arrived to Bradenton and a number of position players have arrived early including 2008 1st round draft Pedro Alvarez. Kevin Goldstein of Baseball Prospectus released his top 100 minor league prospects with Pedro Alvarez coming in as Goldstein’s #4 prospect. Orioles catcher Matt Wieters is rated as the top minor league prospect in the majors. Two other Pirates prospects received some recognition. Centerfielder Andrew McCutchen came in at #25 and outfielder Jose Tabata #91. Alvarez who showed up to minicamp 20 lbs over his normal playing weight (235) is in good shape as the official start of training camp begins on Tuesday. Alvarez has been running the base pads well and his bat speed