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,
MLB: Zach Duke for Robert Andino?
Jeff Frisaro reports, Marlins infielder Robert Andino, who is out of options, could be headed to the Pirates. Florida’s second round pick in 2002, Andino has been blocked at shortstop by All-Star Hanley Ramirez. Versatile Alfredo Amezaga also stands in Andino’s way of playing time. And the recent addition of infielder Emilio Bonifacio from the Nationals has opened the door for Florida to move Andino. The Marlins have had discussions with the Pirates about Andino, who spent about half of 2008 at Triple-A. The Pirates have been in discussions with the Marlins for the past couple days and according to sources Zach Duke could be going the other way.