Pirates’ starting rotation still unsettled 3 weeks from season opener
SARASOTA, Fla. (AP) – Maybe that Pittsburgh Pirates’ starting rotation isn’t nearly as settled as it appeared to be when spring training opened last month. This wasn’t expected then, either: first baseman Brad Eldred competing for an opening day roster spot, and as an outfielder. Don Kelly pressing for a utility infielder’s job. Michael Ryan making a push to be a spare outfielder.
Manager Jim Tracy’s explanation for these unforeseen developments, which include Marty McLeary greatly improving his chances for a spot in the starting rotation, is simple.
“It’s why we stay here until the end of March,” he said Sunday.
When camp opened, the top four starters appeared set with right-hander Ian Snell and left-handers Zach Duke, Paul Maholm and Tom Gorzelanny. Right-handers Tony Armas, who signed a $3.5 million contract for this season, and Shawn Chacon were expected to compete for the other job.
One-third of the way through exhibition play, there are as many questions as answers about the rotation. Currently, only Duke and Snell look to be locked in, though it would be a surprise if Gorzelanny and Maholm aren’t in the rotation when the season starts April 2.
Gorzelanny, out for a month late last season because of a sore elbow, has been ineffective so far with a 14.21 ERA in three appearances. He made his first start of the spring Sunday, allowing four runs in the first inning of a 9-8 loss to the Cincinnati Reds before settling down to pitch two scoreless innings.
While it’s only spring training, getting down by a big margin early in the game before trying to come back was a common occurrence last season for a team that lost 95 games.
“As we go along here, it’s something we’ve got to be mindful of – you don’t want to dig that type of hole for yourself,” Tracy said.
“Depending on who the guy (opposing pitcher) is on the other side of the field, that could be more than enough.”
Gorzelanny didn’t think he pitched badly in the first, and isn’t concerned yet about his high ERA. After walking five and giving up six runs in 1 1-3 innings against the Phillies on Tuesday, he didn’t walk any Sunday.
“Everyone feels pressure to put up good numbers, but this year I have a little more certainty of where I’m going and what I’m doing,” said Gorzelanny, 2-5 with a 3.79 ERA in 11 starts last season. “I don’t want to push it too far, don’t want to overdo it. I’m not satisfied with what I’m doing right now. But I’m taking it little by little and getting better and better every time, and it’s looking good for me.”
Gorzelanny said he always pitches better when a season starts than he does during spring training.
“April has always been a good month for me, and I think it’s the competitiveness that’s a huge thing for me,” he said. “I need to have somebody standing there and I have to go after them.”
Maholm ended last season with rotator cuff soreness, so the Pirates aren’t pushing him yet. He pitched in a minor league camp game and had two sideline throwing sessions before starting Saturday against the Yankees.
The wild card in the competition is McLeary, who was 2-0 in five games late last season. He has a 3.86 ERA in seven innings and has impressed Tracy with his determination to win a job.
“The way he pitches, with his work ethic and way he’s approaching his job, his preparation – what I’m seeing doesn’t surprise me because he’s very focused right now,” Tracy said. “People put themselves on a mission, and it seems to me he’s on one.”
Kelly, a former Mount Lebanon High and Point Park University player, is unexpectedly getting considerable playing time – his 27 at-bats currently lead the club. For the 27-year-old Kelly, a career minor leaguer who hit .228 at Triple-A Toledo last season, this could be his final chance to make a major league roster.
Ryan, a former Twins outfielder who is in camp as a non-roster player, is forcing the Pirates to take an extra look at him. He is hitting .417 with six RBIs and has been the best hitter in camp except for Eldred, who has a .478 average and four homers.
While he’s not yet seeing as many breaking balls as he will when the season starts, Eldred – an excellent fastball hitter – has hit so well that Tracy is experimenting with him in right field as a way to get him more at-bats.