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Morning Report: Thoughts on Tyler Glasnow’s Rehab Start

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I was going to talk about Tyler Glasnow’s rehab start this morning, giving details on how he looked. After a great first inning, his performance quickly became a secondary story when the trainer came out to see him. Glasnow waved off the trainer quickly and told him that everything was fine. Curve manager Joey Cora and pitching coach Justin Meccage also visited the mound with the trainer to make sure nothing was wrong. I didn’t see any indications that something was wrong before they came out, but his body language became more of a focus than his pitches after that.

As reported by Sean McCool last night, Cora said that Glasnow was removed early because he was “feeling uncomfortable and doing strange stuff with his arm”. Glasnow was scheduled to go four innings or 65 pitches. He ended up with three innings and 55 pitches. That’s close to his limit, but there is also enough room in there that he could have faced at least 1-2 more batters before leaving. So you had the trainer visit and an early removal, which Cora confirmed.

The next part was that Glasnow did look uncomfortable on the mound after the trainer visited. The one problem with just looking at that though, is that he just walked two batters and when he loses his control for a stretch, he looks like he is uncomfortable on the mound. Part of it is frustration on his part, but as far as shaking his arm after pitches and adjusting his jersey, that’s just him. They said they noticed something else, but I didn’t see it.

If you’ve watched Glasnow during a start in which his control leaves him for an inning or so, and I have more times than I’d like to count, he doesn’t project confidence on the mound during those times. He’s not Chad Kuhl or Steven Brault, where you couldn’t tell if they just walked a guy on four pitches, gave up a grand slam or struck out the side on nine pitches, by looking at them.

So while Glasnow did look uncomfortable, I can’t say that I necessarily saw anything out of the ordinary. I’ve watched him enough to know if something is different, such as the time I mentioned to Brian Peloza to inquire about Glasnow’s back during a start because he was acting different, and Glasnow mentioned that it was tightening up on him. It’s entirely possible something is wrong, but I didn’t see anything odd occur.

The big red flags would be what happened after he was done, while the rest of the game was still in progress. Glasnow was supposed to be made available for the media. That got pushed back, then canceled and they were told that he left. Afterwards Joey Cora mentioned that he was going back to Pittsburgh to be checked out. Not being available on short notice and immediately heading back to Pittsburgh, probably aren’t good signs. It could just mean that they are being extra cautious, but when you throw in the trainer visit, him leaving early, the quote from Cora about not looking right out there, then it’s a lot of things that add up to looking bad.

Sean McCool has the full report of the night and how everything went down in his post-game report. We will soon find out if it was just them being very cautious with the top prospect in the organization, or if something is in fact wrong.

I can provide one bit of information to take away from the game, which obviously means nothing if he is injured. Glasnow walked speedy Roman Quinn in the third inning after already allowing a stolen base. For the first time that I’ve seen from him, he went to a quick slide step with a runner on. Earlier in the game, the stolen base from Rhys Hoskins, who is no speed burner, was stolen easily of Glasnow and Chris Stewart. There was a throw made, but Glasnow didn’t give Stewart a chance to catch him. With Quinn, it was probably a surprise to the runner, since that’s not in the scouting report.

While having a slide step like that will help him with the running game, it should be noted that Glasnow gave up a double to the batter. So he has to be able to keep the same stuff while using the slide step. That’s just a note in case everything is fine with him. Glasnow is trying something different to help him control the running game. He improved his pick-off move this year, but steals are still an issue. An improved pick-off move, changing up his timing, and adding a slide step will all help keep the runners guessing and give the catcher a better chance to throw out the runner.

PLAYOFF PUSH

The Pirates trail the second wild card spot by 1.5 games.

Indianapolis is in second place in their division, trailing by eight games. They trail by 12 games for the lone wild card spot.

Altoona leads their division by 3.5 games. The top two teams in the division go to the playoffs, with the first place team getting the home field advantage in the first round.

Bradenton won the first half title. They have home field advantage in the playoffs.

West Virginia is tied for fifth place in their division, trailing first by three games.

Morgantown is tied for fourth place in their division, trailing first place by 12 games. They are 7.5 games back for the lone wild card spot.

Bristol is in fourth place, trailing by 8.5 games. The top two teams in each division go to the playoffs.

The GCL Pirates are three games back in their division. This is the only league where you have to win your division to make the playoffs.

The DSL Pirates have been eliminated from the playoffs. Their season ends August 27th.

PIRATES GAME GRAPH


Source: FanGraphs

TODAY’S SCHEDULE

Today’s Starter and Notes: The Pirates won 11-3 on Sunday over the Dodgers. The now travel to San Francisco for three games, sending Ryan Vogelsong to the mound for his third start since returning from his eye injury. He allowed one run over six innings in his first game, then pitched shutout ball over six innings last time out while facing the Padres. The Giants will counter with Matt Moore, who has made two starts since being acquired from the Rays. He has pitched a total of 12 innings, allowing four runs on six hits and 11 walks, with 14 strikeouts.

In the minors, Trevor Williams gets the ball on a slow day for this time of the season. Only five games on the schedule. Williams allowed one run on four hits and no walks over seven innings in his last start. He has a 1.73 ERA, a .208 BAA and a 1.05 WHIP in his last six starts (since the All-Star break).

Altoona, West Virginia and Morgantown are all off today. Morgantown is on their All-Star break. They are sending six players to Tuesday’s game. Adam Oller will pitch for Bristol.

MLB: Pittsburgh (59-56) @ Giants (66-51) 10:15 PM
Probable starter: Ryan Vogelsong (2.67 ERA, 12:27 BB/SO, 33.2 IP)

AAA: Indianapolis (61-62) vs Louisville (60-63) 7:05 PM (season preview)
Probable starter: Trevor Williams (2.84 ERA, 25:53 BB/SO, 88.2 IP)

AA: Altoona (66-53) @ Portland (45-73) 5:00 PM DH 8/16 (season preview)
Probable starter: Tyler Eppler (3.97 ERA, 26:91 BB/SO, 133.2 IP) and John Kuchno (4.20 ERA, 6:12 BB/SO, 15.0 IP)

High-A: Bradenton (60-57) vs Ft Myers (59-59) 6:30 PM (season preview)
Probable starter: Buddy Borden (8.02 ERA, 16:20 BB/SO, 33.2 IP)

Low-A: West Virginia (60-59) @ Lexington (44-75) 7:05 PM 8/16 (season preview)
Probable starter: Bret Helton (4.08 ERA, 43:81 BB/SO, 117.0 IP)

Short-Season A: Morgantown (25-31) vs Vermont (21-35) 7:05 PM 8/17 (season preview)
Probable Starter: TBD

Rookie: Bristol (20-30) vs Pulaski (22-26) 7:00 PM (season preview)

GCL: Pirates (17-25) vs Yankees East (14-27) 12:00 PM (season preview)

DSL: Pirates (26-34) vs Rangers1 (43-19) 10:30 AM (season preview)

HIGHLIGHTS

Here is an opposite field homer for Willy Garcia, his sixth home run of the season.

RECENT TRANSACTIONS

8/14: Tyler Glasnow assigned to Altoona on rehab.

8/12: Chris Stewart assigned to Altoona on rehab.

8/10: Christian Kelley promoted to Bradenton. Raul Hernandez assigned to West Virginia.

8/10: John Kuchno assigned to Altoona.

8/9: Chad Kuhl promoted to Pirates. Curtis Partch optioned to Indianapolis.

8/9: Erik Lunde retired.

8/9: Kyle Lobstein placed on disabled list. Kelvin Marte activated from disabled list.

8/9: Raul Hernandez assigned to Bradenton.

8/8: Delvin Hiciano assigned to GCL Pirates on rehab.

8/8: Josh Outman assigned to Indianapolis.

8/7: Austin Meadows activated from Indianapolis disabled list.

8/6: Arquimedes Caminero traded to Mariners for two players to be named later. Curtis Partch recalled from Indianapolis

8/6: Jason Creasy assigned to Morgantown on rehab.

8/6: John Kuchno assigned to Indianapolis. Josh Outman assigned to Altoona.

8/6: Chris Harvey assigned to Morgantown

8/4: Ryan Vogelsong activated from disabled list. Max Moroff optioned to Indianapolis.

8/4: Pirates release Wilfredo Boscan.

8/4: Kelvin Marte placed on disabled list.

8/4: Henrry Rosario promoted to Bristol. Sam Kennelly assigned to GCL Pirates.

8/3: Chris Harvey promoted to Indianapolis. Trey Haley sent to Altoona.

8/3: Elvis Escobar promoted to Altoona. Justin Maffei assigned to Bradenton.

8/3: Erik Lunde assigned to Bradenton. Jose Regalado activated from disabled list.

THIS DATE IN PIRATES HISTORY

Six former Pittsburgh Pirates players born on this date, plus two trades of note. On this date in 1969, the Pirates traded pitcher Jim Bunning to the Dodgers for two minor league players and cash. The Hall of Fame pitcher was near the end of his career and on the downside, so the Pirates didn’t miss him much. That was good because they all got was six games from the two players that they got in return.

On this date in 1910, the Pirates purchased the contract of Max Carey from his minor league team. That was the start of his 17-year career with the team. Carey played 2,178 games for Pittsburgh, collecting 2,416 hits and 918 walks, with 1,414 runs scored and 688 stolen bases. He’s fourth in team history in runs, hits and games, second in walks and first all-time in steals.

Players born on this date include:

Oliver Perez, pitcher from 2003 until 2006. He was involved in two big trades that both worked out well coming over with Jason Bay and leaving for Xavier Nady. He had 239 strikeouts during the 2004 season.

Ramon Morel, relief pitcher from 1995-97. He was signed as an amateur free agent in 1991 and made it from high-A to the majors during the 1995 season.

Duffy Dyer, catcher from 1975 until 1978. He was drafted in the first round in 1966. The Pirates acquired him for Gene Clines right after the 1974 season.

Bernie Walter, pitcher for the Pirates on August 16,1930. He was actually the team’s batting practice pitcher, spending the entire 1930 season with the Pirates, but he only pitched one inning. He never even played minor league ball, so that one inning was his entire career.

Red Peery, pitcher for Pirates on September 22,1927. During the end of the 1927 season, shortly before the Pirates went on to their fourth World Series, Peery pitched at the end of a blowout loss during a doubleheader. That would be his only appearance for the Pirates.

Lew Carr, shortstop for the 1901 Pirates for two weeks. Honus Wagner was a third baseman at that time, as he didn’t play shortstop regularly when he first joined the Pirates. Carr played nine games and held his own at the plate with a .701 OPS, but regular shortstop Bones Ely took his job back and Carr was released.

John Dreker
John Dreker
John started working at Pirates Prospects in 2009, but his connection to the Pittsburgh Pirates started exactly 100 years earlier when Dots Miller debuted for the 1909 World Series champions. John was born in Kearny, NJ, two blocks from the house where Dots Miller grew up. From that hometown hero connection came a love of Pirates history, as well as the sport of baseball. When he didn't make it as a lefty pitcher with an 80+ MPH fastball and a slider that needed work, John turned to covering the game, eventually focusing in on the prospects side, where his interest was pushed by the big league team being below .500 for so long. John has covered the minors in some form since the 2002 season, and leads the draft and international coverage on Pirates Prospects. He writes daily on Pittsburgh Baseball History, when he's not covering the entire system daily throughout the entire year on Pirates Prospects.

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