North Shore Nine

The Pirates remain in search of their first Grapefruit League win after dropping their home opener to the Baltimore Orioles.

Days after signing a five-year, $77 million extension, Mitch Keller took the mound in his first spring training start. The staff ace threw 29 pitches over two scoreless innings, giving up two hits and a walk against two strikeouts. Cam Alldred received the loss, giving up two hits and a walk in his one inning of work, but picked up three strikeouts and allowed no earned runs. Errors proved costly for the Pirates, as both runs allowed were unearned.

On the offensive side of the ball, the Pirates scrounged together just three hits. Connor Joe and Gilberto Celestino each picked up a single, and Nick Gonzales hit a double. Oneil Cruz returned to game action for the first time since April 2023; he went 0-2 and struck out on a pitch clock violation. Termarr Johnson replaced Cruz and went 0-2 with two strikeouts. Tsung-Che Cheng also made an appearance at DH, flying out in his lone at-bat.

Monday sees the Pirates head to Dunedin to face the Blue Jays. Roansy Contreras is slated to start for the Pirates; with no options remaining, this spring training is a crucial moment in Contreras’ career.