Jeff Karstens has just been named the starter for Bradenton tonight. Indianapolis has an early morning start today. No starter has been named yet for West Virginia today. Bradenton had off yesterday. Altoona is off today. For a look at the possible starters over the next few weeks, please check out our Probable Pitchers Chart. We have added a Recent Transactions section to the bottom of this page, for all Pirates minor league transactions. A full recap of yesterday’s action can be found here.
AAA: Indianapolis (27-11) VS Toledo (10-28) 11:05am
Probable starter: Kris Johnson (3-2, 3.23)
Yesterday’s Result: Indianapolis 8, Toledo 2
Kris Johnson will make his sixth start of the season this morning. He has also made two relief appearances. In his five starts, Johnson is 3-1, 1.69 in 26.2 innings, with 20 strikeouts and a .227 BAA. On the season, he is holding left-handed batters to a .226 average. In his last two starts combined, he has thrown 10.2 scoreless innings. In 11.2 innings at home, he has yet to allowed a run.
AA: Altoona (16-21) VS Trenton (20-17) 6:30pm 5/14
Probable starter: Luis Sanz (1-1, 3.78)
Yesterday’s Result: Altoona 2, Richmond 1 (game recap)
Altoona has off today. Their next scheduled off day isn’t until June 3rd. The Curve are in fifth place in their division, seven games behind first place Erie. They are 8-10 at home and 8-11 on the road. Altoona is 5-5 in their last ten games and they have won two straight. Andrew Lambo leads the team with 25 RBI’s, tied for the fifth highest total in the Eastern League. Stolmy Pimentel at 1.99 has the third highest ERA in the EL, while Jameson Taillon is tied for fourth with 47 strikeouts.
High-A: Bradenton (13-23) @ Clearwater (18-16) 7:00pm
Probable starter: Eliecer Navarro (0-6, 3.57) Jeff Karstens (NR)
Yesterday’s Result: Bradenton was off yesterday
Jeff Karstens will make his 2013 debut today, starting his rehab stint. He will throw three innings or 50 pitches, whichever comes first. Eliecer Navarro will likely follow Karstens in relief. He has also pitched once in relief earlier in the year, plus he has made six starts. Despite not allowing more than three earned runs in any game this season, Navarro has still yet to pick up a victory and he leads all Pirates minor leaguers with those six losses. In his last outing, he went five innings, allowing three runs on six hits, while picking up six strikeouts. In 35.1 innings this season, Navarro has walked seven and struck out 33 batters.
Low-A: West Virginia (18-18) @ Hickory (19-16) 6:00pm
Probable starter: Jake Burnette (NR)
Yesterday’s Result: West Virginia 6, Lexington 2
Jake Burnette will make his 2013 debut tonight. He has been pitching in Extended Spring Training. Burnette went 1-2, 4.71 in five starts for State College last year. He was shut down for the remainder of the season due to elbow soreness. The 7th round draft pick in 2011, pitched once that season for the GCL Pirates, allowing one run in one inning. He is a 20-year-old, 6’4″ RHP out of Georgia, who signed for a $550,000 bonus.
Recent Transactions
5/13 Jake Burnette added to West Virginia roster. Clay Holmes placed on DL.
5/13 Jeff Karstens added to Bradenton roster.
5/9 Neil Walker added to Altoona roster.
5/9 Zach Thornton added to Altoona roster. Justin Howard and Jeff Inman added to Disabled List. Jason Townsend activated from DL.
5/9 Cesar Lopez added to Bradenton roster.
5/8 Duke Welker promoted to majors. Josh Harrison rejoins Indianapolis.
5/8 Tim Alderson promoted to Indianapolis. Quinton Miller promoted to Altoona. Jhondaniel Medina added to Bradenton roster.
5/6 Phil Irwin placed on Indianapolis DL. Oscar Tejeda added to Indianapolis roster.
5/6 Matt Curry placed on DL. Justin Howard and Miguel Perez added to Altoona roster.
