Pittsburgh Pirates Roster
- NL Central
- Stadium
- PNC Park
Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Jameson Taillon (elbow), who is recovering from Tommy John surgery last August, said the team has shut him down from pitching in 2020. Taillon said that the issue is that the season is already being shortened this year due to the coronavirus. The 28-year-old right-hander made just seven starts last year before his injury. The former second overall pick in the 2010 draft had a great season in 2018, going 14-10 with a career-best 3.20 ERA, 1.18 WHIP and 179 strikeouts in 191 innings over 32 starts. He has high-end fantasy potential whenever he gets back on the bump, and he may even come at a nice discount in 2021 redraft leagues. Hang onto him in dynasty/keeper formats.
Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Steven Brault (shoulder) has not resumed throwing, according to director of sports medicine Todd Tomczyk. Brault was shut down for at least two weeks on March 2, and he last pitched in a game on Feb. 28 because of a left shoulder strain. The left-hander has more time to recover now with the MLB season delayed due to the coronavirus pandemic, but it's still unknown how long Brault may need to get back up to speed. He entered spring training in competition for one of the final rotation spots with Chad Kuhl. Even if Brault were to recover in time and enter the season as a starter, he'd be of little use to those in mixed leagues. Brault made 19 starts in 2019 and six relief appearances and had a 5.16 ERA with 100 strikeouts in 113 1/3 innings.
Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Jameson Taillon (elbow) is throwing from 120 feet as he rehabs from Tommy John surgery, according to director of sports medicine Todd Tomczyk. Taillon should miss most of the 2020 season after having elbow surgery last August, so those in redraft leagues can ignore him if you haven't had your draft yet. The 28-year-old will return to a spot at the top of Pittsburgh's rotation in 2021 after he was 2-3 with a 4.10 ERA and 1.13 WHIP in his seven starts in 2019 before his injury. He was at his best in 2018 when he went 14-10 with a career-low 3.20 ERA, 1.18 WHIP and 8.4 K/9 in 32 starts (191 innings).
The Pittsburgh Pirates optioned shortstop Cole Tucker to Triple-A Indianapolis on Friday because management would like to see him play every day in the minors rather than sitting the bench regularly behind Kevin Newman to start the 2020 season. General manager Ben Cherington expects Tucker to contribute in the majors soon, and the Pirates think he'll be their shortstop of the future. He hit just .211/.266/.361 in the majors last year but was 8-for-27 with three home runs and as many walks (four) as strikeouts in the Grapefruit League. He's also versatile and can play both shortstop and second base. Tucker is a good stash in dynasty leagues, but he can go undrafted in most mixed leagues.
The Pittsburgh Pirates sent third base prospect Ke'Bryan Hayes, baseball's No. 41 overall prospect, to Triple-A Indianapolis on Friday. The team also sent Geoff Hartlieb, Sam Howard, Jason Martin, Yacksel Rios, Edgar Santana and Cole Tucker to Indy. The 23-year-old Hayes, the team's No. 2 prospect behind Mitch Keller, hit .280/.400/.440 with a home run and a double in 13 Grapefruit League at-bats before spring training was shut down. He also walked five times, struck out four times and didn't commit an error at the hot corner in 13 chances. Hayes has more power to come and won a minor league Gold Glove last year as one of the top third base prospects in all of baseball. He's expected to take over the starting gig for the Pirates at third base at some point in 2020, although that could be more difficult now with the season not expected to begin until possibly June.