Pirates/MLB
Pittsburgh Pirates Some Pre-Game Notes from PNC
— 2010 All-Star reliever Evan Meek received some positive news today. Meek visited with Dr. James Andrews today and Andrews revealed that at this time Meek does not need Tommy John Surgery.
Meek will continue his current rehab but his return remains several weeks away. He is targeting a late July/early August return.
— Pirates manager Clint Hurdle is taking some heat for keeping Andrew McCutchen out of the lineup tonight. Hurdle indicated that McCutchen has a scheduled night off but why do it at home is what some media members are wondering this evening.
— Hurdle said today that 3B Josh Harrison is still a few days away from returning to the lineup.
— Hurdle hinted at the club looking to add some “pop” into their lineup. There’s been some buzz around the ballpark today that the team is considering calling up Alex Presley for their weekend series against the Cleveland Indians.
Presley is hitting .342 on the season with 8 home runs and 33 RBI’s. He is hitting .364 in his last 10 games with 2 home runs and 8 RBI’s and has a 5 game hitting streak going into tonight’s minor league action.
— The Pirates are still exploring the market for available catchers, Hurdle indicated today.
— Brad Lincoln (5-5, 4.34 ERA) takes the mound tonight for Triple-A Indianapolis. He’s allowed 2 runs or less in 6 of his last 7 games. His ERA has been hit hard by giving up 6 earned runs in three of his 11 starts.
In the other 8 starts, he’s allowed 3 runs or less.
