Mitch Keller

BRADENTON, Fla. — The Pittsburgh Pirates fell to 15-9 in Grapefruit League action on Tuesday, losing 10-2 to the Houston Astros.

Pirates starter Mitch Keller was roughed up for six earned runs on four hits in four innings of work. He walked four and struck out six. The Pirates bullpen gave up four runs in five innings, and all 10 runs scored were earned. The lone bright spot was reliever Justin Lawrence, who struck out three in one scoreless inning of work.

Offensively, the Pirates had six hits — no one with multiple hits — and the RBIs were courtesy of Joey Bart and Hunter Stovall.

The Pirates host the Detroit Tigers at 6:05 tonight. Braxton Ashcraft will get the start.

In other news, the Pirates optioned left-handed pitcher Evan Sisk to Triple-A Indianapolis.

Additionally, the team reassigned right-handed pitcher Beau Burrows, right-handed pitcher Michael Darrell-Hicks, right-handed pitcher Noah Davis and catcher Shawn Ross to minor league camp.

There are now 39 players (38 active) remaining in Major League camp.

The Pirates have to have it cut down to 26 with the season to begin on Wednesday, March 25. Pittsburgh does not open until Thursday, March 26, when it plays the New York Mets.

Cubs starter injured

MESA, Ariz. — Seiya Suzuki has a minor ligament strain in his right knee and will be evaluated this week before the Chicago Cubs decide whether the Japanese outfielder will go on the injured list, manager Craig Counsell said Tuesday.

Suzuki got hurt in Japan’s 8-5 loss to Venezuela in a World Baseball Classic quarterfinal Saturday night in Miami.

He walked gingerly to the dugout after a headfirst slide into second base when he was caught stealing in the first inning. Suzuki was replaced in center field after the end of that half-inning.

The 31-year-old returned to the Cubs’ spring training facility on Monday, when he was seen walking slowly with a soft brace on the injured knee. Suzuki underwent imaging to determine the extent of the injury.

Suzuki is going into the final season of an $85 million, five-year contract. He has hit .269 with 87 home runs and 296 RBIs in 532 games for the Cubs, including a team-leading 103 RBIs with 32 homers in 2025.

Cole set to debut

TAMPA, Fla. — Yankees ace Gerrit Cole is set for his spring training debut in the latest step in the New York right-hander’s recovery from Tommy John elbow surgery.

Cole is scheduled to throw one inning as the starter Wednesday in an exhibition against the Boston Red Sox at Steinbrenner Field.

The 2023 AL Cy Young Award winner pitched in two spring training games last year before the surgery that sidelined him the entire 2025 season. Cole threw a 35-pitch bullpen session last week.

The Yankees are hoping the 35-year-old can make his season debut in late May or early June.

Rookie done

GLENDALE, Ariz. — Chicago White Sox right-hander Mike Vasil is set for season-ending Tommy John surgery after leaving his most recent spring training start with right elbow soreness.

Vasil exited a start against the Los Angeles Dodgers in the fourth inning Saturday. He was 5-3 with a 2.50 ERA as a rookie last year, when he made three starts in 47 appearances in a standout showing.

The team says Vasil’s surgery will be performed in the coming weeks by Texas Rangers team physician Dr. Keith Meister.