Pittsburgh Pirates set opening day roster
By Matt Shetler
The Pittsburgh Pirates are all but set to head north to kick off the 2013 season and Wednesday they all but finalized the roster that will take the field April 1 at PNC Park when the Bucs host the Chicago Cubs.
Earlier Wednesday, the Bucs made the following roster moves: Kyle McPherson, Jordy Mercer and Alex Presley were all optioned to Triple-A Indianapolis, while Felix Pie, Vin Mazzaro, Lucas May, Ryan Reid, Carlos Paulino and Mike Zagurski were all re-assigned to Pirates Minor League camp.
Mar 6, 2013; Fort Myers, FL, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates relief pitcher Jeff Locke (49) throws in the first inning during a spring training game against the Boston Red Sox at JetBlue Park. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
The moves leave the roster currently at 26 with one move left to be made.
If Brandon Inge is put on the disabled list to begin the season, which is expected, then Josh Harrison will make the roster until Inge is activated. If the veteran Inge is ready to go, then Harrison will be optioned to Triple-A as well.
McPherson being sent down means that Jeff Locke will be the No. 5 starter.
The starting rotation looks as follows:
- A.J. Burnett
- Wandy Rodriguez
- James McDonald
- Jonathan Sanchez
- Jeff Locke
The bullpen has a bit of a surprise as Reid did everything possible to make the team. With him being optioned out, that means Jeanmar Gomez gets a bullpen job. Gomez was in the running for a spot in the rotation, but apparently showed the Pirates brass enough to make the team.
The bullpen looks as follows:
- Jason Grilli (closer)
- Justin Wilson (lefty)
- Tony Watson (lefty)
- Mark Melancon
- Jared Hughes
- Chris Leroux
- Jeanmar Gomez
There are no surprises in the Pirates starting lineup, as pretty much all jobs were locked down heading into spring training.
Your 2013 starters are as follows:
- C- Russell Martin
- 1B- Garrett Jones
- 2B- Neil Walker
- 3B- Pedro Alvarez
- SS- Clint Barmes
- LF- Starling Marte
- CF- Andrew McCutchen
- RF- Travis Snider
Despite a strong spring Pie didn’t make the cut, as the bench looks as follows:
March 14, 2013; Clearwater, FL, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates right fielder Jose Tabata (31) against the Philadelphia Phillies at Bright House Networks Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
- OF- Jose Tabata
- 1B- Gaby Sanchez
- INF- John McDonald
- C- Michael McKenry
- UT- Inge or Harrison
It is quite odd to see a bench without a left handed bat on it, which Pie or Presley would have been, but that’s the way Hurdle has set things up.
Once the rosters get down to this number, it means that baseball is upon us.