Pirates manager Hurdle has hip surgery

October 6, 2014

PITTSBURGH (AP) - Pittsburgh Pirates manager Clint Hurdle underwent successful surgery on Monday to replace his ailing right hip.The 57-year-old Hurdle spent most of the 2014 season dealing with arthritis in the hip, which made walking painful. He put off surgery until the completion of the season rather than disrupt the team in the middle of the year. Pittsburgh went 88-74 and earned a second consecutive playoff berth before falling to San Francisco in the wild-card round.Hurdle is expected to make a full recovery well in advance of the 2015 season.

MLB’s small markets like Pittsburgh, KC revive

October 3, 2014

Fans gathered at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City this week for a pep rally ahead of the Royals' first playoff game since 1985.People held black, gold and white "We Believe" signs during a "Let's Go Bucs!" celebration in Pittsburgh's Market Square to get ready for the Pirates' second straight playoff appearance following a 21-year absence.Boosted by revenue-sharing money and changes in baseball's collective-bargaining agreement, many of Major League Baseball's small-market teams have revived and have a chance to reach the 10-team playoffs each October."I walk my dogs every day at 9 ...

Tigers hire former Pirates GM Littlefield as scout

October 20, 2014

DETROIT (AP) - The Detroit Tigers have hired former Pittsburgh general manager Dave Littlefield as a major league scout.The team announced the move Monday. Littlefield replaces Mike Russell.The 54-year-old Littlefield has spent more than 25 seasons in major league front offices. He recently wrapped up a seven-season stint as a major league scout for the Chicago Cubs. Before that, he spent seven seasons as the general manager of the Pirates.Littlefield was also an assistant general manager to Dave Dombrowski with the Florida Marlins. Dombrowski is now the GM of the Tigers.

Pirates give qualifying offers to Martin, Liriano

November 3, 2014

PITTSBURGH (AP) - The Pittsburgh Pirates extended $15.3 million qualifying offers to catcher Russell Martin and pitcher Francisco Liriano on Monday.Both players have until 5 p.m. EST to accept. The Pirates would receive a compensatory draft pick if a player given the offer doesn't accept and then signs with another major league team before June 8.Martin and Liriano have been vital parts of Pittsburgh's revival. The Pirates are coming off back-to-back playoff appearances following a record streak of 20 consecutive losing seasons.The 31-year-old Martin hit .290 with 11 home runs and 67 ...

McCutchen, Kershaw, Stanton up for MVP

November 5, 2014

NEW YORK (AP) - Los Angeles Dodgers ace Clayton Kershaw is among the finalists for the NL Most Valuable Player and the Cy Young Award, in position to become the first NL player to sweep both honors since Bob Gibson in 1968.Kershaw is joined by Pittsburgh outfielder Andrew McCutchen - the 2013 winner - and Miami outfielder Giancarlo Stanton as the NL MVP finalists, the Baseball Writers' Association of America announced Tuesday.Cincinnati's Johnny Cueto and St. Louis' Adam Wainwright are competing with the Los Angeles left-hander for the NL Cy Young.Since Gibson won both awards in 1968 ...

Pirates acquire Cervelli from NY

November 13, 2014

PITTSBURGH (AP) - The Pittsburgh Pirates have acquired catcher Francisco Cervelli from the New York Yankees in exchange for reliever Justin Wilson.Mainly a backup with the Yankees, the 28-year-old Cervelli batted .301 with two homers and 13 RBIs in 49 games last season.The Pirates could have an opening at catcher if they are unable to re-sign Russell Martin, a free agent who declined the team's $15.3 million qualifying offer after helping Pittsburgh to consecutive playoff berths.The energetic Cervelli was once a backup to Martin with the Yankees.The left-handed Wilson and his upper-90s ...