The Pirates have set their roster for the start of the season, and it’s good news for the team’s two Jareds. Jared Jones has made the team and will join the starting rotation and Jared Triolo has won the second base job.
The starting rotation will feature Mitch Keller, the Opening Day starter on Thursday in Miami, Martin Perez, Jared Jones, Marco Gonzalez, and Bailey Falter.
With Yasmani Grandal starting the season on the injured list, the Opening Day catchers will be Henry Davis and Jason Delay. The regular infield will have Rowdy Tellez at first, Triolo at second, Oneil Cruz playing shortstop, and Gold Glover Ke’Bryan Hayes at third, with an outfield of Bryan Reynolds in left, Michael A. Taylor in center, and Jack Suwinski in right field. Connor Joe will back up at first base and in the outfield. Andrew McCutchen will be the DH, with Edward Olivares backing up in the outfield and Alika Williams in the infield.
In addition to the starters, the bullpen pitchers will be right-handers David Bednar, Roansy Contreras, Luis Ortiz, Hunter Stratton, and Ryder Ryan, along with lefties Aroldis Chapman, Ryan Borucki, and Josh Fleming.
Bullpen mainstays Colin Holderman and Carmen Mlodzinski will start the year on the injured list. Both are pitching again but need work to build up their arms.
On the field yesterday in Bradenton, the Bucs closed Spring Training with a win. Joe Block has the recap. (4-3 Pirates win over the Blue Jays.)
On Indiana In the Morning on WCCS yesterday, Pirates broadcaster Joe Block said he’s looking forward to watching the young Bucs.
The Pirates will have today off and will work out in Miami tomorrow before the Opening Day game against the Marlins. Keller will pitch for the Pirates against Jesús Luzardo. It will be a 4:10 first pitch with a 3:45 airtime on WCCS.
General Manager Ben Cherington told MLB Network’s Brian Kenney yesterday that Paul Skenes will start at Indianapolis but will “help (the Pirates) win games in 2024.” He said Skenes will build up volume and get acclimated to a pro schedule at Indy. Cherington said the key to the Pirates’ season will be health and the depth of the team, including those who are starting the season in Indianapolis.
