Notes: Bucs Go 3-4; Reportedly Sign Lawrence; Camp & MLB Snips

Spring training ramps up…

Pirates Stuff:

• The Bucs reportedly claimed RHP Justin Lawrence, 30, off waivers from the Rockies after placing Johan Oviedo on the 60-day IL following a right lat strain suffered in a bullpen session. Lawrence made 182 appearances for the Rox from 2021-24 with a line of 12-12-14/5.43, averaging nearly a K per inning but with five walks per game.
• Pittsburgh is still hedging its bets on 1B; both Endy Rodriguez (who has played the position) and Jack Suwinski (who hasn’t) manned the spot in an intrasquad match.

Endy Rodriguez – 2025 photo/Pirates

• After missing a week and some change because of back spasms, IF Adam Frazier is back in the saddle with his return to action on Friday.
• RHP Johan Oviedo, recently placed on the 60-day IL, is expected to be shut down for at least a month before his lat injury is reevaluated.
• Jonathan Mayo of MLB Pipeline presents the Bucs Top 30 Prospects:

Games:

• The club spent Monday night at Steinbrenner Field and it wasn’t a pleasant trip as the Yankees pounded out a 12-3 win. Joey Bart’s homer was the Bucs bright spot.
• They had the same result the next day in Bradenton, taking a 12-4 drubbing at the paws of the Tigers. Andrew Heaney (1-2/3 IP), Caleb Ferguson (2-2/3 IP) and Carmen Mlodzinski (2-2/3 IP) each gave up a four-spot. Ji Hwan Bae homered and went three-for-three.
• The tarp still covered LECOM’s infield at gametime v the Blue Jays, delaying the opening pitch by a couple of hours on Tuesday before the Bucs held on to win a wild one, 7-6. Oneil Cruz & Joey Bart went back-to-back while Mitch Keller was solid if a bit wild, giving up a run on a hit and three walks/three K in 3-2/3 IP. Yohan Ramirez gave up a three-run shot in the eighth, but it wasn’t enough for Toronto.

Joey Bart’s been hot – 2024 Topps Update

• The Pirates spent Thursday evening in Sarasota to face the O’s and returned home with a 9-5 dub. Paul Skenes started and was human, giving up two runs in three frames. Liover Peguero homered, Jason Delay had three RBI and Endy Rodriguez went three-for-three.
• The Phils came a’callin’ to LECOM on Friday. Jared Jones went three frames, giving up a run while fanning six. The pitching held up, with Eddie Yean getting a two-inning save, in the Bucs 3-2 victory, The Corsairs had six hits; Bae was hot, going two-for-two.
• The Pirates played the Braves Saturday in North Port. The Pirates took a 5-2 lead into the ninth with Jared Triolo going three-for-three, but rookie Jaden Wood didn’t help his cause by giving up four runs to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory, 6-5. 
• Pittsburgh closed the weekend by hosting the Detroit Tigers on Sunday. They couldn’t overcome another scruffy start by Heaney in a 5-3 loss. Bart went three-for-four; Tommy Pham homered & threw out a runner before leaving with a tight hip; he said it was just a spring precaution and nothing of concern. The Pirates are 9-7 in Grapefruit play.

MLB Stuff:

• Yankee RHP Gerrit Cole underwent diagnostic tests on his throwing elbow after giving up six runs during his latest spring outing on Thursday. The MRI results weren’t released but reportedly recommended TJ surgery, and Cole is seeking a second opinion. Last year, he had the same problem; it ended up to be inflammation that kept him out of the rotation until mid-June.
• The Brewers and LHP Jose Quintana have reportedly agreed on a one-year/$4-5M deal with some incentive sweeteners included.
• LHP Jalen Beeks signed a minor league deal with the Astros. The reliever was 1-0-1/3.92 in 26 outings for the Pirates last year after coming over from Colorado.