September 23
Pittsburgh Tribune Review
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In the worst season of Jack Wilson's career, this may be his final week in a Pirates uniform. It began with a calf injury that cost him six weeks of the season. Later, he missed a week with a sore shoulder. Wilson has not played shortstop since Aug. 31, when a bad-hop grounder fractured his index finger. Any chance the Pirates had of finishing at .500 evaporated in July, when Jason Bay and Xavier Nady were traded. Wilson likely will be the next veteran out the door as management continues to reshape the roster this offseason. "There's probably a good chance they'll want to go in another direction (at shortstop)," Wilson said. "It's been on my mind a lot. I'm preparing either way." Some ..."
September 22
Pittsburgh Tribune Review
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- Although manager John Russell and his coaching staff are under contract for 2009, it is not a sure thing that all will return in 2009. General manager Neal Huntington said Sunday the staff will be re-evaluated after the end of the season. "We've got to break it down, top to bottom, and see where we're headed," Huntington said. - Jesse Flores, who had been a special assistant to the GM, will become the Pirates' West Coast supervisor. The team plans to add another area scout and may hire a scout for Europe and Asia. - Attendance yesterday was 20,311, which was slightly higher than the season average of 20,113. In 80 home dates, the Pirates drew 1,609,076. - Infielder Jim Negrych and ..."
August 10
Pittsburgh Tribune Review
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The Pirates are willing to offer Pedro Alvarez a major-league contract, if that's what it will take to sign their first-round draft pick. Although that offer has not yet been made, it does have an expiration date. "It is not off the table as we sit here today," team president Frank Coonelly said Friday night, before the Pirates and Phillies played at Citizens Bank Park. "But we will get to a point fairly quickly where it will be off the table." The Pirates have until midnight Friday to come to terms with Alvarez, a power-hitting third baseman out of Vanderbilt University, and their 22 other unsigned picks. The team does not plan to sign every one of the 50 players it chose in the June ..."
August 4
Pittsburgh Tribune Review
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The initial report on Ian Snell's sore back is minor stiffness, which will require some treatment but probably not a trip onto the disabled list.Snell said his back began getting tight on the lower right side in the second inning, when he threw a curveball to Ryan Theriot. It's the same spot that locked up on Snell earlier this season, after he was struck by a line drive and later bent over to pick up a grounder.Snell already has been on the DL once this season because of elbow soreness.Snell will be re-evaluated Monday in Phoenix. Manager said the DL is not likely, but did not rule it out entirely.More on this tomorrow.This afternoon, third baseman Andy LaRoche hit his first homer for the ..."
August 3
Pittsburgh Tribune Review
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Freddy Sanchez is not in today's lineup against the Cubbies, but he almost certainly will be back in action tomorrow, when the Pirates open a three-game set in the desert against Arizona. Manager John Russell said Sanchez (lower back spasms) is available today as a pinch-hitter or for a double-switch.As I type this, I'm watching Adam LaRoche run on the outfield warning track at Wrigley Field. That's a big step forward for LaRoche, who's on the disabled list with a ribcage injury. Russell is cautiously optimistic LaRoche will be able to come off the DL Tuesday."