Author: mattbandi

Apparently, 93.7 The Fan reported this morning that Neil Walker has been recalled from Triple-A, and that Steve Pearce would likely be placed on the DL with a sprained ankle. I haven’t seen this reported anywhere else, so take it with a grain of salt for now. it may have just been speculation.

Steve Pearce left Monday's game with a sprained ankle. He will have an MRI on Tuesday.

On Monday, Dejan reported that we might start seeing some Triple-A players arriving in Pittsburgh. So when should each player be promoted? Click here to find out when Pedro Alvarez, Jose Tabata, Brad Lincoln and Neil Walker should arrive in Pittsburgh.

Third baseman Andy LaRoche will miss his third consecutive game with back stiffness tonight.

The Pirates promoted Bradenton reliever Diego Moreno to Double-A Altoona today. The 23-year-old Moreno struck out 39 batters in 26.1 High-A innings, while handing out only two walks.

Between Pittsburgh and Triple-A Indianapolis, the Pirates have a group of eight position players fighting for about five spots in the everyday lineup. Obviously, not all will pan out, but it is difficult to determine exactly which ones will succeed long-term. Luckily, each player comes with some versatility, which gives management some options when filling out a future lineup card.

Ryan Church has started 12 of the past 14 games in which he has been available. Why would a rebuilding team give the majority of available playing time to a 31-year-old, well established 4th outfielder who is struggling, while younger players with uncertain talent levels watch from the bench? It does not make sense.

The Pirates activated reliever Brendan Donnelly from the disabled list today. To make room on the roster, Jack Taschner was placed on the DL with a tight hamstring.

A couple weeks ago, I speculated that Charlie Morton was tipping his pitches from the stretch. My theory was that when he came set, he was moving his glove prior to fastballs and keeping his hands still when he prepared to throw an off-speed pitch. Well, I noticed a change on Monday night in Philadelphia. Is Morton attempting to address this issue?

Despite impressive Triple-A production, both Jeff Clement and Steve Pearce have failed in limited major league opportunities. Does that mean they are Quad-A players, simply unable to make that jump? Will Neil Walker go down that same path?

Pitching prospect Bryan Morris, who has not allowed an earned run in 33 innings for High-A Bradenton, will be promoted to Double-A Altoona. Neal Huntington said that Morris could be promoted to Triple-A Indianapolis by the end of the season.

The Akinori Iwamura acquisition made sense at the time, but things have changed. Even if we factor in expected positive regression, Iwamura is likely to provide slightly below average production for the season. At 31-years-old and on a one-year contract, that’s just not very valuable. It is time to replace Iwamura with the rejuvenated Neil Walker.