June 30: Cubs (36-37) @ Pirates (35-41)
So I know this is way late, but hopefully you can excuse the tardiness knowing that I have been diligently writing up trade-related stories for the main site. There will be more trade-related items on here later, but a few other general daily news bits that I wanted to pass along in the meantime since the games do still go on…
- As noted on the blog before the Morgan/Burnett trade became official, Jeff Salazar left his Triple-A Indianapolis teammates on Tuesday afternoon to head to Pittsburgh. He will be added to the Pirates’ 40- and 25-man roster on Wednesday, taking Nyjer Morgan’s place.
- Ryan Doumit was in the clubhouse this afternoon, but was preparing to leave town later this evening to head to Bradenton, Fla. He’ll begin his rehab work there on Wednesday and said that he will then join Triple-A Indianapolis on Sunday to continue his Minor League rehab stint. He’s still shooting for a July 17 return date.
- The Pirates have placed Craig Monroe on waivers in order to give him his unconditional release. The Pirates had 10 days to try and trade Monroe, but with no takers, he’s expected to clear waivers and become a free agent.
- Pirates bullpen coach Luis Dorante has been asked by Cardinals slugger Albert Pujols to be his personal pitcher during for the Homer Run Derby on Monday, July 13. Pujols will certainly be the popular pick to win considering the game will be held at Busch Stadium.
- With a win on Tuesday night (and it currently looks like it is going that way), the Pirates would seal a winning month of June (14-13). The club also finished April above .500 (11-10). If the team can hold on and win on Tuesday, it would have two winning months in one season for the first time since 1994. Yes, it’s been that long.
- With Tuesday being the 100th anniversary of Forbes Field, the Pirates revealed the top three moments in Forbes Field history, as voted on by the fans. Those are: 1. Bill Mazeroski’s home run to win Game 7 of the 1960 World Series. 2. Roberto Clemente’s Major League debut on April, 17, 1955. 3. The Pirates’ winning their World Series game back on Oct. 8, 1909.
- Oh, and no need to post lineups now that the game is in the seventh. Tune in if you’re that desperate to know…
