PITTSBURGH (93.7 the Fan) – Losers of five straight games in Cincinnati, the Bucs make their first stop in Ohio Monday night and won't play there again in August.
A fourth different lineup for the Pirates with Phillip Evans batting second at third base with Erik Gonzalez batting fifth at short. Dustin Fowler make his second start in center.
While struggling outfielder Gregory Polanco remains in the lineup, Kevin Newman gets a break. Newman is 3 for his first 13 after hitting .606 in Grapefruit League play. Manager Derek Shelton said he expects to get all of the starters a day off soon due to being back to a 162 game schedule.
Second Keller
Pens added a second Keller today, trading cash to the Angels for right-handed pitcher Kyle Keller. The 27-year-old made his Major League debut with Miami 2 years ago pitching in 10 games as a reliever with a 3.38 ERA. He's 6'4", 205 pounds and was an 18th round pick of the Marlins in 2015.
Keller was a reliever from the start of his pro career, going 9-12 in the minors with a 3.43 ERA. In 249.2 innings, Keller walked 93 and struck out 332 with a 1.18 WHIP. Keller is primarily a fastball, in the mid-90s, and curveball, down to the low 80s, pitcher.
"I know we like the fastball-curveball combo, high strikeout rates in the minor leagues," Shelton said. "I think it gives us more depth this year and going forward."
Pirates designated righty reliever Edgar Santana for assignment. Due to injury, Santana hasn't pitched in the big leagues since 2018 (3-4, 3.26 ERA in 69 games).
"When we make a claim or trade, guys who are on the roster sometimes have to come off," Shelton said. "With the fact that he hasn't pitched in the last two years, he just became a casualty."
Anderson Home Opener
Free agent lefty Tyler Anderson's second start will be the first game at PNC Park this year. Anderson gave up 3 runs in 5 innings at Chicago with a pair of walks and 7 strikeouts.
Anderson was 4-3 with a 4.37 ERA in 11 starts with the Giants last year.
