Pirates/MLB
Pittsburgh Pirates Beimel’s status with Pirates up in the air?
With concerns mounting over lefty reliever Joe Beimel and starter Scott Olsen, the Pirates yesterday claimed Seattle Lefty Garrett Olson off of waivers.
Pirates GM Neal Huntington insisted that the move had nothing to do with Beimel’s future with the team but concerns surrounding Beimel continued on Saturday.
Beimel was scratched from today’s lineup vs the Boston Red Sox due to what the team says is elbow pain. Beimel has been sidelined for much of spring training due to a sore forearm and has been very ineffective during his limited action this spring.
In 2 innings pitched, Beimel has surrendered 7 runs on 6 hits.
Beimel came into spring training penciled in as the Pirates primary lefty reliever. His status for opening day is in doubt.
The Pirates have absolutely no depth at the position, which prompted the waiver claim of Olson on Friday. Olson is out of minor league options. With the Seattle Mariners in 2010, Olson had a 4.54 ERA and one save in 35 innings of work.
Starter Scott Olsen who has also been a disappointment in camp, remains an option in the bullpen due to the emergence of starter Charlie Morton this spring.
Spring Training Tidbits
*The Pirates are high on the leadership Garrett Atkins (.133 avg) could bring to the ball club but he just doesn’t hit well enough to warrant a roster spot over the likes of a Steve Pearce (.290 avg in 31 at-bats) whose making himself more versatile in the field.
With the additions of veterans Lyle Overbay and Matt Diaz, there also isn’t really a need for a veteran “leadership” type of bench/role player.
*Spring Training stats are often over-rated but the way Lyle Overbay has been hitting is a positive for the Pirates going into the season. Overbay is batting .382 with 3 home runs and 6 RBI’s in 34 at-bats.
*Sources say Manager Clint Hurdle has been riding shortstop Ronny Cedeno very hard in spring training. Hurdle is said to see some potential for Cedeno at the plate and the hope is that Hurdle brings out the best in him.
He’s batting .250 in 32 at-bats this spring.
Shortstop Josh Rodriquez, a rule-5 draft pick, is hitting .350 in 20 at-bats this spring.
*The Pirates are not only actively shopping Ryan Doumit but the team is also showing an interest in moving Garrett Jones who goes into the season as a bench player, behind Matt Diaz and Lyle Overbay.
