Author: mattbandi

One oft-repeated complaint about Neal Huntington is that his acquisitions, both at the major and minor league level, have not performed well, that all we hear about is their “potential.” There are legitimate points to debate regarding Huntington’s plan, but the claim that only a few of the players he has brought in have produced, and that this speaks poorly of his evaluation skills, is inaccurate.

Jen Langosch reports that Brian Burres will remain in the rotation and Jeff Karstens will move to the bullpen when Ross Ohlendorf returns from the disabled list on Monday.

Dejan Kovacevic reports that pitcher Ross Ohlendorf will return to the Pirates on Monday.

The Pirates have struggled this far in 2010, beginning the season 11-15. The team ranks 28th in baseball in runs scored and they are dead last in runs allowed. The team’s High-A affiliate, the Bradenton Marauders got off to a great start in 2010, although they have now lost four consecutive games. They lead the Florida State League in team OPS and they boast the league’s 5th best ERA. What if the Pirates and Marauders switched rosters?

On April 30, Charlie Morton served up a first inning, two-run home run to the Dodgers’ Andre Ethier. The blast came on a decent pitch, 92 MPH with good movement, painting the inside corner. During the next at-bat, the camera cut to the Dodgers dugout, where Ethier was having a discussion with a coach. Did he give us a clue to the mystery behind Morton's struggles?

Jen Langosch reports that Steve Pearce will be recalled from Triple-A Indianapolis tomorrow.

Rocco DeMaro reports that Kevin Hart has been diagnosed with a labrum tear in his right shoulder.

According to the box score, Octavio Dotel allowed a run in two innings yesterday, blowing a save and nearly costing the Pirates the win. In reality, the tying run scored when a simple ground ball somehow eluded the glove of second baseman Aki Iwamura and bounded into center field. Such is the life of a major league reliever.

The Pirates announced that Brian Burres will make his second start of the season on Thursday.

In an effort to ignore the new level of misery that the Pirates’ pitching staff sinks to on a daily basis, I will take a moment to focus on just how bad the team’s offense has been. Click for a visual look at the team's offensive 2010 offense.

Jeff Karstens, expected to start on Tuesday night, has been added to the 40-man roster. To make room for him, John Raynor was designated for assignment.

The Pirates placed pitcher Chris Jakubauskas on the disabled list this morning, after he was hit in the head by a Lance Berkman comebacker last night. Jakubauskas was released from the hospital after being diagnosed with a head contusion and concussion. The Pirates also optioned Daniel McCutchen to Triple-A, and called up Brian Burres and Brian Bass. To make room on the 40-man roster for Bass, minor league outfielder Brandon Jones was designated for assignment. Jeff Karstens also may be brought up from Triple-A to start on Tuesday. Karstens is not currently on the 40-man roster.