PITTSBURGH — Jeff Salazar’s chances of making the Pirates’ opening-day roster all but ended when Eric Hinske was signed as a free agent in late January.
Salazar had signed a minor-league contract as a free agent a month earlier.
At the time, he appeared to have a good shot of making the club as a left-handed hitting reserve outfielder, a spot that eventually went to Hinske.
Thus, it was only fitting that Salazar benefited this week when the Pirates traded Hinske to the New York Yankees for two minor-leaguers. Salazar’s contract was purchased from Class AAA Indianapolis to fill Hinske’s place on the roster.
Salazar made his Pirates’ debut Thursday, flying out as a pinch hitter in a 9-8 loss to the New York Mets in 10 innings at PNC Park.
“I understood why they signed Hinske,” Salazar said. “He’s a good player, a proven player. I’m glad I have a chance now to be here, and hopefully I’ll prove I belong here.”
Salazar, 28, hit .256 with
10 home runs and 36 RBIs in
76 games with Indianapolis this season after spending parts of the previous three years in the major leagues with Colorado and Arizona. He was 10-for-17 (.588) in his final four games with the Indians.
Salazar also had a strong showing in spring training, going
14-for-50 (.280) with four home runs and 15 RBIs.
“He is a good player who does a lot of things,” Pirates manager John Russell said. “He was highly regarded coming up through the minor leagues (in the Colorado organization). I liked what I saw of him in spring training and he is going to help us.”
It also helps that Salazar can play center field as the Pirates had no true backup for rookie Andrew McCutchen after trading Nyjer Morgan to Washington on Tuesday.
“That’s definitely a plus in Jeff’s favor,” Russell said. “We needed somebody in case we want to give Andrew a day off or, heaven forbid, he is down for a few days.”
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All-Star update: It seems left-hander Zach Duke and second baseman Freddy Sanchez are the most likely Pirates to be selected to play in the All-Star Game on July 14 at St. Louis. The teams will be announced Sunday.
Sanchez might rate the edge because he can also play shortstop and third base. That versatility figures to be attractive to National League manager Charlie Manuel, of Philadelphia, since the designated hitter will not be used because the game is being played in an NL park.
Sanchez, though, gives his endorsement to Duke.
“Actually, I’d be surprised if I were picked,” said Sanchez, who played in consecutive All-Star Games in 2006-07.
“Assuming we only get one guy picked, Zach is the guy who should go. He’d been good all season and very consistent. He’s having an All-Star season.”
Duke has never been selected to an All-Star Game.
“I would love to go and it would be a great honor, but I look at it as I’m going to have a good time during the All-Star break regardless of what happens,” Duke said. “It’s either going to in St. Louis or back home in Texas. Either way, I can’t lose.”
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Minors update: Indianapolis closer Chris Bootcheck and catcher Erik Kratz have been selected to play for the International League in the Triple-A All-Star Game on July 15 at Portland, Ore.
Bootcheck, 30, is 1-2 with
14 saves and a 2.91 ERA in 30 games this season.
Kratz, 29, is hitting .280 with three home runs and 20 RBIs in 50 games.
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International update: The Pirates signed three Taiwanese-born players Thursday on the first day major-league clubs could sign international amateur free agents.
Right-hander Sheng-Cin Hong and outfielder Ping-Hung Chi, both 18, played at His Yuan High School and first baseman Chih-Wei Hsu, 17, is a product of Kuang Fu High School. They will begin their professional careers at Major League Baseball’s Australian Academy.
The top free agent in the Dominican Republic, shortstop Miguel Sano, did not sign Thursday and is not expected to make a decision until the weekend. The Pirates are believed to have the inside track with Minnesota also a serious suitor and Baltimore a dark horse.
The Pirates also have significant interest in Dominican right-hander GianCarlos Santana, younger brother of Los Angeles pitcher Ervin Santana.
Kansas City appears to be the Pirates’ stiffest competition.
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Up next: The Pirates open a three-game series against the Florida Marlins at 6:10 tonight in Miami with Charlie Morton (0-1, 4.09) scheduled to start against Chris Volstad (5-7, 4.63). Morton is 1-1 with a 6.00 ERA in three career starts against the Marlins.
Local Sports
Pirates Notebook: Hinske trade opens the door for Salazar
- Local Sports
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Pirates pick up fourth straight victory
There were times earlier in his career when James McDonald would run into trouble and innings would slow to a crawl. Even worse, runners would disappear, and not in a good way.
Too much thinking. Not enough attacking. -
Sympathetic Pirates add to Cubs’ slide
Andrew McCutchen and the Pittsburgh Pirates can relate to what the Chicago Cubs are going through.
Perhaps more than anyone, they know what it feels like to be on an extended losing streak
– 12 in a row, in the Cubs’ case. -
AAABA League will open after busy offseason
The AAABA League opens on Tuesday at Point Stadium with two new, but familiar managers, a new but familiar sponsor, an expanded interleague schedule and two new franchises committed to the 2013 season.
A lot of activity took place during the offseason, including the AAABA national committee’s vote to expand the age limit to 21 years old beginning in 2013. -
Richland's Lumley settles for pair of silver medals
Paige Lumley was on an emotional roller coaster and seeing silver on Saturday at the PIAA Track and Field Championships at Shippensburg University.
The Richland senior had state record jumps twice during the triple jump competition, but ended up with a silver–medal leap of 40 feet,
1¾ inches.
Defending state champion, second-seeded junior Lanae Newsome of Brookville, won with a jump of 40-3½. -
Ridge’s Dull takes second with school-record time
Matt Dull finished his athletic career with his best on Saturday at the PIAA Track and Field Championships at Shippensburg University.
The Chestnut Ridge senior ran a career-best time of 38.12 to finish second in the 300 hurdles final, also setting another school record. -
Hit batsman lifts Pirates over Cubs
Matt Hague was hit by a pitch from Rafael Dolis with the bases loaded in the bottom of the ninth inning, and the Pittsburgh Pirates sent the Chicago Cubs to their 11th straight loss with a 3-2 victory Saturday night.
Hague took a 96 mph fastball from Dolis (2-4) in the back near the shoulder blade, scoring Jose Tabata and eliciting an incredulous look to the sky by the Cubs reliever. -
Generals return to defeat Sting
It’s been a dramatic month for the Johnstown Generals.
There were two postponed games that left the immediate and long-term future of the franchise in serious doubt just two weeks ago. -
Greater Johnstown Speedway failed to win the support of fans
Back in the late 1950’s, the area stock car racing landscape was populated by a very strong and popular three-track weekend circuit, consisting of the Windber Stadium Speedway, Jennerstown Speedway and the Ebensburg Fairgrounds Speedway.
Thus, it came as a major surprise when the announcement was made that a new track, the Greater Johnstown Speedway, would be built and begin operation in 1958. -
Final PIAA track update - No gold for local athletes
Richland senior Paige Lumley broke the state triple jump record twice in the PIAA Class AA Track and Field Championships today, but it wasn't enough to earn a gold medal.
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PIAA track update - Central Cambria's Brandis earns medal
Central Cambria's Alyssa Brandis claimed the first local medal of this morning's action at the PIAA Track and Field Championshps.
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