It is frustrating being a Pirates fan. Most nights conclude with a disgusted shut-down of the television, followed by nightmares of mental and physical errors. Loss after loss piles onto your shoulders. But for one night, it felt good to be a Pirates fan.
Jose Ascanio has been temporarily shut down after suffering a right hand injury in a home accident. Ascanio is attempting to return from shoulder surgery that he underwent in late 2009.
The Pirates have reached an agreement with second round draft pick Stetson Allie. Jen Langosch reports that a few details still need to be worked out at this point.
The Pirates have officially signed their 15th round draft pick, shortstop Drew Maggi. Kendall Rogers of Yahoo! Sports tweets that Maggi received a bonus of $468,000.
First round pick Jameson Taillon, second round pick Stetson Allie and 15th round pick Drew Maggi put the pen to paper at various points on Monday. Click here to read through the live updates that I provided from morning to midnight.
Probable Starters
RHP Chris Volstad vs. RHP James McDonald
RHP Ricky Nolasco vs. LHP Zach Duke
RHP Josh Johnson vs. RHP Ross Ohlendorf
LHP Sean West vs. LHP Paul Maholm