All four of the pitchers scheduled to start today, also started on Tuesday this week. Three of them are making their second start of the season, while Jason Creasy becomes the first Pittsburgh Pirates minor league pitcher to make his third start of the year. Check out the Prospect Watch from last night. For a look at possible starters down the line, check out our Probable Starter Chart.
AAA: Indianapolis (9-1) vs Columbus (2-7) 1:35pm
Probable starter: Phil Irwin (0-0, 7.71)
Yesterday’s Result: Indianapolis 6, Toledo 3
Phil Irwin will make his second start of the season today. In his debut, he allowed four runs in 4.2 innings. Irwin allowed six hits, two homers, two walks and he had four strikeouts. He missed most of last year due to elbow surgery. Irwin made two starts for Indianapolis and one for the Pirates. He pitched this off-season in the Arizona Fall League, where he made five starts. In 15.2 innings for Scottsdale, Irwin had an 8.62 ERA, walking six batters and picking up 14 strikeouts. Check out the Indianapolis season preview.
AA: Altoona (3-5) @ Richmond (6-4) 1:35pm
Probable starter: Joely Rodriguez (0-0, 3.00)
Yesterday’s Result: Richmond 4, Altoona 3
Joely Rodriguez will make his second start of the season today. In his season debut, he went six innings, giving up two runs on five hits and three walks. He did not record a strikeout in the game. Rodriguez split last season between West Virginia and Bradenton, throwing a total of 140 innings over 26 starts. He allowed 142 hits, eight homers and issued 39 walks. Rodriguez had 101 strikeouts, a .266 BAA and a strong 2.12 GO/AO ratio. He had a 2.72 ERA in 14 starts with West Virginia and 2.67 in 12 Bradenton starts. Rodriguez ranks as the #15 prospect in the Pirates system. Check out the Altoona season preview.
High-A: Bradenton (5-4) @ Jupiter (3-6) 1:05pm
Probable starter: Jason Creasy (0-0, 4.15)
Yesterday’s Result: Bradenton 1, Jupiter 0
Jason Creasy will make his third start of the season today. He went 4.2 innings against Charlotte in his debut, giving up two runs on five hits and two walks, with two strikeouts. In his second outing, he went four innings and matched his first game line in three categories, allowing two runs on five hits and two walks. Creasy spent last season with West Virginia, where he made 13 starts and 19 relief appearances. In 108.1 innings, he had a 2.74 ERA, with 106 hits allowed, seven homers and 24 walks. Creasy had 96 strikeouts, a 1.20 GO/AO ratio and a .250 BAA. Check out the Bradenton season preview.
Low-A: West Virginia (3-7) vs Lexington (6-4) 2:05pm
Probable starter: Dovydas Neverauskas (1-0, 1.80)
Yesterday’s Result: Lexington 2, West Virginia 1
Dovydas Neverauskas will make his second start of the season today. In his debut, he went five innings, allowing one run on six hits and three walks, while striking out five batters. The 21-year-old righty from Lithuania, spent all of 2013 with the Jamestown Jammers. He made 15 starts, throwing 60.2 innings, with 55 hits allowed, eight homers and 22 walks. Neverauskas picked up 39 strikeouts, had a 1.41 GO/AO ratio and a .243 BAA. He signed with the Pirates in 2009 and spent the first three years of his career in the Gulf Coast League. Check out the West Virginia season preview.
Recent Transactions
4/12: Vin Mazzaro assigned to Indianapolis. Josh Kinney transferred to Jamestown roster.
4/11: Chris Stewart transferred from Bradenton to Indianapolis.
4/11: Jeff Locke activated from disabled list. Assigned to Indianapolis.
4/7: Barrett Barnes and Harold Ramirez placed on disabled list. Adam Landecker and Justin Maffei added to West Virginia roster.
4/6: Chris Stewart assigned to Bradenton on rehab.
4/5: Robert Andino placed on disabled list. Blake Davis added to Indianapolis roster.
4/4: Stetson Allie added to Altoona roster. Junior Sosa transferred to Jamestown roster.
4:4 Kenn Kasparek and Quinton Miller placed on disabled list. Brandon Mann added to Altoona roster.
3/29: Quincy Latimore and Erick Fernandez released.
3/27: Traded a player to be named later in exchange for Keon Broxton.
3/25: Acquired Vance Worley in exchange for cash.
3/22: Six minor league players released. Carlos Mesa, Cesar Lopez, Axel Diaz, Elvin Ramirez, Kirk Singer and Eliecer Navarro.
3/20 Zac Fuesser, Ethan Hollingsworth, Kevin Kleis and Dalton Friend released.
