Opening Day is nearly here for the Pittsburgh Pirates, as the club hopes to make a deeper postseason run after coming up just short in the NL Wild Card last year. The focus has finally shifted from MLB front offices to the players on the field, although there is still some activity from the MLB Hot Stove to work through. With that in mind, here are the latest Pirates rumors and news for March 30th.
Juan Nicasio Wins Rotation Spot
Last season, Nicasio was a reliever for the Los Angeles Dodgers. This year, he'll start for the Pirates. A strong spring propelled Nicasio into the No. 5 rotation spot for the Pirates.
"We’ve known he’s always had good stuff," Manager Clint Hurdle told the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. "When you repeat your delivery and you’re able to work down in the zone like that, that leads to success."
Nicasio has started in the past, with the Colorado Rockies. He didn't allow a run and struck out 24 hitters in 15 innings of work this spring.
Vogelsong To Bullpen
The Pirates starting Nicasio means Ryan Vogelsong will work out of the bullpen, at least for the start of the season.
"I told Ryan, this wasn’t about him not performing well," Hurdle said. "He came into spring training and tracked things out that he wanted to do. It was about another guy really pitching the most effective we’ve ever seen him pitch and trying to leverage that opportunity for him."
Vogelsong did a bit of bullpen work for the San Francisco Giants last year. However, Vogelsong struggled in the pen, posting a 5.68 ERA in 19 innings. He'll likely serve as the team's long-reliever.
Tyler Glasnow Is Close
The Pirates could have the services of pitcher Tyler Glasnow soon. A Top 10 prospect, MLB.com reports Glasnow will have a chance to prove himself at Triple-A this season. If he performs well, the Pirates could give the 22-year old starter a shot at the rotation. Glasnow pitched well last season and another strong start means he could be in the big leagues sooner rather than later.
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