A.J. Burnett diagnosed with a strained flexor tendon

A.J. Burnett has been diagnosed with a strained flexor tendon, first reported by Jon Morosi of Fox Sports. Burnett is not in need of Tommy John Surgery and the next step for Burnett will be rehabbing the injury and get to the point where he can get his velocity back to the low 90’s. The Burnett situation is now in wait and see mode. 2015 Stats: 8-5, 3.06 ERA, 114 SO, 36 BB, 1.34 WHIP

Pirates activate Michael Morse, option Jaff Decker to AAA

1B/OF Michael Morse has officially reported to the Pirates and will be active tonight vs the Chicago Cubs. To make room for Morse, the Pirates optioned Jaff Decker. Decker has hit .077 (1-13) at the Major League level this season. Just arriving today it’s not clear yet if Morse will be in the lineup but the Pirates are facing lefty Jon Lester. Morse is 0-3 in his career vs Lester and is hitting .091 vs lefties this season. GM Neal Huntington said a few days ago the plan is for Morse to spell Alvarez at first base. “Morse is a right-handed bat off the bench who can spell Pedro at first base,” Huntington said. “We’ll see how it plays out. If

Charlie Morton takes step forward in pitching five-hit ball in 3-0 win over Reds

( Charlie Morton after posting a 5.54 ERA in June and a 5.04 ERA July, started August off on the right foot. Morton threw seven shutout innings, leading the Pirates to a 3-0 shutout win over the Reds on Sunday afternoon. Morton earning his 7th win of the season, won for the first time since June 27th. Morton allowed 5 hits and no runs, striking out a season-high 7 batters and walking none. His stuff was in top form and a key for Morton was the start he got off to, needing just six pitches to get through the first inning and he got a rhythm there and set a tone. Morton’s curveball might have been the best it’s been

Sean Rodriguez replacing struggling Ramirez today at third

Sean Rodriguez will get the start at third base today in place of Aramis Ramirez. Ramirez 0-8 over his last two games, has struggled since joining the Pirates last Saturday, hitting .133 (4-30) with 2 RBI and 2 extra-base hits. Ramirez is hitting .236 on the season with 11 home runs, 44 RBIs. The defensive specialist Rodriguez will be making his 7th appearance of the season at third base today. With Ramirez out of the lineup, the hot hitting Jung Ho Kang will bat cleanup. Kang is hitting .426 since the All-Star break with 4 home runs, 6 RBI and has 7 doubles during that span. In the cleanup spot this season, Kang is 15-52 (.288) with 1 home run,

Tyler Glasnow strikes out 7, allowed 1 earned run in Triple-A debut

Top pitching prospect Tyler Glasnow made his Triple-A debut tonight for the Indianapolis Indians. Glasnow’s line: 5.1 innings pitched, 9 hits, 4 runs, 1 earned run, 7 strike outs, 1 walk. Glasnow threw 89 pitches, 56 for strikes. The 21 year old was credited with 3 groundouts, 4 flyouts. 2015 Stats (Altoona-AA): 63.0 IP, 5-3, 2.43 ERA, 82 SO, 19 BB 2015 Stats (Indianapolis-AAA): 5.1 IP, 0-0, 1.69 ERA, 7 SO, 1 BB

Gerrit Cole remains winless against Reds but chalk this one up to the defense behind him

The Cincinnati Reds continue to be a thorn in Gerrit Cole’s side. Cole is now winless in four starts against the Reds this season, has never beaten them, and failed to make it to the sixth inning in a Pirates 4-3 loss on Saturday night. Cole allowed 7 hits and 3 runs (2 ER) in five innings, striking out 8 and walking 1. Cole threw 98 pitches, 66 for strikes. The Reds made Cole make for his mistakes but the Pirates might have been celebrating a win if it wasn’t for the defense in front of Cole. A poor play in center field by Andrew McCutchen in the second on a Marlon Byrd hit would eventually lead to the Reds

Top hitting prospect Josh Bell getting promoted to Triple-A Indy

Tyler Glasnow on Saturday makes his highly anticipated Triple-A debut and also on the Saturday the Pirates will be promoting top hitting prospect Josh Bell to Triple-A Indianapolis. Bell viewed as the Pirates long-term first baseman, was named the Pirates 2014 Minor League Player of the Year last fall. In 2014 Bell hit a combined .325 (138-for-425) with 22 doubles, four triples, nine home runs, 60 RBI and a .459 slugging percentage between Single-A Bradenton and Double-A Altoona this season. He was named to both the Florida State League’s mid- and post-season All-Star teams while also representing the Pirates organization at the All-Star Futures Game in Minnesota. Bell also took home Florida State League Player-of-the-Year honors after leading the league

Thumped by the Reds, Velocity is down and location remains poor for A.J. Burnett

A.J. Burnett was a disaster tonight vs the Reds as the red flags surrounding Burnett are not going away. Burnett was rocked for 10 hits and 8 runs in a 15-5 Pirates loss. The concern with Burnett was his velocity, in the 80’s for most of the night and his location which has been extremely poor since the All-Star break, continued to be off as he’s been throwing batting practice of late. Burnett has allowed 10 hits or more in three straight games and his numbers since the All-Star Break: 32 Hits Allowed, 19 Runs allowed. Despite the concerns with Burnett right now, GM Neal Huntington said tonight he doesn’t expect to add a starter by tomorrow’s deadline. “We don’t

Pirates DFA Vance Worley

The Pittsburgh Pirates this afternoon designated Vance Worley for assignment to make room for Joe Blanton. Worley went 4-5 with a 3.78 ERA. He made 20 appearances, 8 starts. Worley is making $2.45 million, good chance he clears waivers. PIRATES LINEUP VS REDS 1. Gregory Polanco, RF 2. Starling Marte, LF 3. Andrew McCutchen, CF 4. Aramis Ramirez, 3B 5. Jung Ho Kang, SS 6. Francisco Cervelli, C 7. Pedro Alvarez, 1B 8. Neil Walker, 2B 9. A.J. Burnett, P