PITTSBURGH — For Pittsburgh Pirates fans, baseball is just around the corner, and that corner happens to be Monday, Feb. 9.

That’s because that is the official opening of Major League Baseball’s spring training for the Pirates. Pitchers and catchers who are participating in the World Baseball Classic will report that day. The rest of the Pirates will report on Wednesday, Feb. 11. Other notable dates include:

n Feb. 12, first workout for infielders and outfielders taking part in the WBC.

n Feb. 16, first full-squad workout

n Feb. 18, photo day

The media will have access to the players in Pirate City starting Wednesday, Feb. 11.

The Pirates also announced the single-game tickets are now on sale at both pirates.com/tickets and by phone at 1-800-BUY-BUCS. You can also purchase them at the PNC Park ticket windows.

Pittsburgh opens the home slate Friday, April 3, at 4 p.m. against the Baltimore Orioles. A seven-game homestand, slated for April 13-19, will feature the Nationals and the Rays.

Suarez to Red Sox

Left-hander Ranger Suárez and the Boston Red Sox agreed Wednesday to a $130 million, five-year contract, a person familiar with the negotiations told The Associated Press.

The person spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because the agreement had not been announced.

An All-Star in 2024, Suárez had spent his entire professional career with the Philadelphia Phillies after signing at age 16 in April 2012. The 30-year-old from Venezuela pitched out of the bullpen early on but has been a steady performer and mostly a reliable winner since moving into the rotation exclusively in 2022.

The deal is the first for a major league free agent for the Red Sox this season. It comes days after they were outbid for Alex Bregman by the Chicago Cubs, who gave the incumbent Boston third baseman a five-year, $175 million deal with a no-trade clause that the Red Sox wouldn’t offer.

Bud Black hired

SAN DIEGO — The San Diego Padres hired former manager Bud Black and longtime slugger Wil Myers for new roles in the organization.

Black will be the Padres’ senior adviser to baseball operations, while Myers is a special assignment coach working in player development, the team confirmed Wednesday.

Black was the Padres’ manager for 8¢ seasons.