Strong offense on the menu for Bucs  ...more ?
Strong offense on the menu for Bucs
Clement looks like a natural at first  ...more ?
Clement looks like a natural at first
Dotel encouraged by latest session  ...more ?
Dotel encouraged by latest session
Raynor's swing returning to form  ...more ?
Raynor's swing returning to form
McCutchen out to swipe more bases  ...more ?
McCutchen out to swipe more bases
Prospects Alvarez, Tabata team up  ...more ?
Prospects Alvarez, Tabata team up
Bucs bats quiet in loss to Yankees  ...more ?
Bucs bats quiet in loss to Yankees
Bucs have no trouble putting away Twins  ...more ?
Bucs have no trouble putting away Twins
Crosby adding valuable dimension  ...more ?
Crosby adding valuable dimension
Spring has different feel for Jones this year  ...more ?
Spring has different feel for Jones this year
Hart, McCutchen eyeing role in rotation  ...more ?
Hart, McCutchen eyeing role in rotation
Church, McCutchen swinging hot bats  ...more ?
Church, McCutchen swinging hot bats
Pirates surge late to top host Orioles  ...more ?
Pirates surge late to top host Orioles
Sanchez has a night to remember  ...more ?
Sanchez has a night to remember
Huntington, Stark paved new way in Minors  ...more ?
Huntington, Stark paved new way in Minors
Bucs' bullpen members on the mend  ...more ?
Bucs' bullpen members on the mend
Pearce doing his best to make up ground  ...more ?
Pearce doing his best to make up ground
Morton shows poise in Grapefruit debut  ...more ?
Morton shows poise in Grapefruit debut
LaRoche homers in Bucs' loss to Braves  ...more ?
LaRoche homers in Bucs' loss to Braves


Yahoo! Sports

Pirates Team Report (Yahoo! Sports)  ...more ?

Paul Maholm pitched one scoreless inning to start the Pirates' exhibition season and pronounced that the left knee injury that had an impact on his 2009 season was no longer a factor.

"Actually, it wasn't as much of a big deal last season as some people are making it out to be," Maholm said.

Maholm went 8-9 with a 4.43 ERA last season after straining a ligament in his left knee during his final start in spring training. However, the injury was never made public until he admitted he had pitched hurt when asked by reporters during the final week of the season.

"I just don't think it was that big of a deal," Maholm said. "There isn't a pitcher in the major leagues who goes out and makes 30-plus starts a season, takes the ball every fifth day and feels 100 percent every...

Johnson homers twice, Sabathia rocked by Pirates (AP)  ...more ?
Nick Johnson is working on a new hitting philosophy this spring. CC Sabathia is trying to refine his pitching motion. Their results couldn't have been more dissimilar Tuesday. Johnson pulled homers to right in each of his at-bats, while Sabathia was rocked for five runs in two-plus innings in the New York Yankees' 12-7 loss to the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Garza sharp in Rays' win over Pirates (AP)  ...more ?

Matt Garza looked good and felt even better. After two exhibition outings, including three scoreless innings Monday in Tampa Bay's 4-3 victory over a Pittsburgh Pirates split-squad, the Rays right-hander is happy about the way he's pitching this spring. Garza won 11 games two years ago in his first full season in the majors and was the MVP of the 2008 AL championship series while helping...


Yankees beat Pirates 6-0 in split-squad game (AP)  ...more ?
Alfredo Aceves may be pushing his way into the thick of the battle for the No. 5 spot in the New York Yankees' starting rotation. Aceves tossed four perfect innings Monday in a 6-0 victory against the Pittsburgh Pirates in a split squad game for both teams. In two outings this spring, both against the Pirates, the right-hander has retired all 18 batters he's faced.
Morneau homers for Twins in 15-5 loss to Pirates (AP)  ...more ?
Bobby Crosby's work with Mark McGwire in the past three offseasons appears to be paying off. Crosby hit a three-run homer and drove in four runs and the Pittsburgh Pirates beat a Minnesota Twins split squad 15-5 Sunday. "He's a good guy to have around," Crosby said of the St. Louis Cardinals' new hitting coach.
Blanton gives up two-run homer to Church; Phillies and Pirates tie in 10 innings (The Canadian Press)  ...more ?

BRADENTON, Fla. - Kevin Hart, vying for a spot in Pittsburgh's starting rotation, battled through one rocky inning and Ryan Church hit a two-run homer Saturday, as the Pittsburgh Pirates and Philadelphia Phillies played to a 3-3 tie in 10 innings.


Blanton gives up two-run homer to Church (AP)  ...more ?

Kevin Hart, vying for a spot in Pittsburgh's starting rotation, battled through one rocky inning and Ryan Church hit a two-run homer Saturday, as the Pittsburgh Pirates and Philadelphia Phillies played to a 3-3 tie in 10 innings. Hart was scheduled to pitch two innings, but left the game after tossing 38 pitches in the top of the first inning.


Zach Duke goes 2 innings, Pirates beat Orioles 5-3 (AP)  ...more ?
The Pittsburgh Pirates threw one sure member of their starting rotation at Baltimore and another who is auditioning for a spot. Both pitched well, and Pittsburgh beat the Orioles 5-3 on Friday night for its first win of the spring. Zach Duke tossed two solid innings in his first outing of the year. An All-Star last season, Duke is likely to start for the Pirates on opening day.
Former Pirate McLouth helps Braves top Pittsburgh (AP)  ...more ?
This time last year Nate McLouth was hoping to avoid another season in last place. This year, he's poised to be the starting center fielder with serious championship hopes. McLouth scored a run to lead off the first inning and help lead the Braves to a 4-2 win over the Pittsburgh Pirates, his former team.
Marlins catchers see bumps ahead for prospect (Yahoo! Sports)  ...more ?
Miami's Yasmani Grandal looked good in an exhibition, but Ronnie Paulino and John Baker provide a dose of reality.
Giants' Freddy Sanchez missing Opening Day (Yahoo! Sports)  ...more ?
San Francisco Giants second baseman Freddy Garcia had a shoulder "procedure" late in December and had...
A-Rod gets hit in spring training opener (AP)  ...more ?

Alex Rodriguez was back in his comfort zone: between the white lines. Rodriguez singled, No. 98 Colin Curtis hit a three-run homer in the ninth inning and the New York Yankees beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 6-3 Wednesday with owner George Steinbrenner in attendance to watch the World Series champions in their spring opener.


A-Rod goes 1 for 2 in spring training opener (AP)  ...more ?

Alex Rodriguez went 1 for 2, No. 98 Colin Curtis hit a game-winning three-run homer in the ninth inning and the New York Yankees beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 6-3 Wednesday with principal owner George Steinbrenner in attendance for their spring opener. Rodriguez has been contacted by federal investigators regarding a Canadian doctor accused of selling an unapproved drug.


Slugger Museum offers glimpse into baseball's past (AP)  ...more ?
Grabbing a bat once swung by Johnny Bench brought a rush of cherished memories for James Montgomery during a visit to the Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory -- where baseball memorabilia mixes with a close-up look at how the famed bats are crafted. Just touching the bat used by the Hall of Famer had Montgomery reliving excursions to the ballpark with his father decades ago to watch his hometown...
D12: Games on! Braves vs. Mets lead spring openers today (Yahoo! Sports)  ...more ?
Welcome to The Dozen, a streamlined selection of 12 morning-fresh fresh links and items to get you going.
Spring Snapshot: Tired of past, Pirates hope bright future is here (Yahoo! Sports)  ...more ?
Every day in spring training until we're finished with the entire league, Big League Stew takes a brief...
Can a military mind whip Pirates into winners? (Yahoo! Sports)  ...more ?
Bernie Holliday explains how he will apply to Bucs players the mental training expertise he used on soldiers.
Grapefruit Getaway: Pirates hope writing isn't on wall for 18th year (Yahoo! Sports)  ...more ?
Big League Stew contributor David Brown continued his spring swing through Florida's Grapefruit League on...
Pirates hoping for big things from OF McCutchen (AP)  ...more ?
A few days ago, a sleepy morning in the Pittsburgh Pirates' clubhouse was brightened when Andrew McCutchen walked into the room. McCutchen was laughing, as usual, and soon other players were, too. Everyone seemed to perk up as McCutchen quickly changed into his workout gear and headed onto the field.
Pearce could be facing last chance with Pirates (AP)  ...more ?
Steve Pearce has gone from being a top prospect with the Pittsburgh Pirates to a slugger down to his last swings in a hurry. Pearce was a hotshot in 2007 when he went from Class A to the majors in the same season. But he's had trouble making an impact in the big leagues since then. Pearce's main position is first base and the Pirates want lefty-hitting Jeff Clement to play there.