The Pirates added 1B/3B Jason Rogers to their roster on Thursday, acquiring him from the Brewers in a trade. He has been playing for Tigres del Licey this winter, where he is hitting .272/.316/.388 in 38 games. Rogers has six doubles, a triple and three homers. He has been on base in each of his last ten games, which seems like a good stretch, yet his OBP actually dropped during that time.
In Venezuela, Jose Osuna continues to play on while he appeals his suspension and Wilfredo Boscan wished that he just accepted his punishment. Boscan came into Thursday with 18.2 shutout innings over his last three starts. That streak was quickly ended with Osuna batting with two outs in the first inning. He connected on his eighth homer of the winter(see video below). Boscan ended up allowing three runs on seven hits and four walks in six innings. Osuna had a strong game, going 3-for-4 with a walk. He now has a .922 OPS, which ranks fourth in the league.
Elias Diaz went 1-for-4 with a strikeout, while committing his second error. He is hitting .247/.319/.407 in 23 games.
Elvis Escobar flew out as a pinch-hitter in the ninth inning. He isn’t getting a lot of at-bats(5-for-18, one walk), but he has played in 24 games this winter after getting into 15 total during his first two seasons in Venezuela.
Jorge Rondon made his third appearance and gave up a hit and a walk, while throwing a shutout inning. He threw 1.2 perfect innings over his first two games.
In Mexico, Carlos Munoz went 0-for-3 with a strikeout. He is hitting .250/.349/.409 in 52 games.