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Pirates

OF Smith-Njigba returns to Pirates

PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Pirates claimed outfielder Canaan Smith-Njigba off waivers from the Seattle Mariners on Monday. Smith-Njigba, who was a member of Pittsburgh’s 2023 opening day roster, spent a majority of last season with Triple-A Indianapolis, where he hit .280 (109-for-389) with 28 doubles, 15 homers, 74 RBIs, 21 stolen bases and a .366 OBP in 105 games. The 24-year-old Smith-Njigba was designated for assignment by Pittsburgh on Jan. 31 before being claimed off waivers by Seattle on Feb. 7. Right-handed pitcher JT Brubaker was placed on the 60-day injured list to ...

Eager Skenes ready to show off talent

By John Perrotto The Associated Press BRADENTON,Fla. — Paul Skenes would love to be on the Pittsburgh Pirates’ opening-day roster. However, the top overall pick in last year’s draft isn’t stressing out while taking part in his first major league spring training. The ...

Bucs sign veteran catcher to provide depth

By Will Graves The Associated Press PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Pirates are adding two-time All-Star catcher Yasmani Grandal, a person with knowledge of the deal told The Associated Press. The club and the 35-year-old Grandal have agreed to terms on a one-year contract worth $2.5 million, according to the person who spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity Monday because the deal is pending Grandal passing a physical. Pittsburgh is searching for depth at catcher with Endy Rodriguez — who started 57 games in 2023 as a rookie — ruled out for 2024 after Tommy John surgery in ...

Another Smith-Njigba catches on in Seattle

The Associated Press SEATTLE — There will be another member of the Smith-Njigba family playing for a Seattle team after the Mariners claimed outfielder Canaan Smith-Njigba off waivers on Wednesday. The brother of wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba of the Seattle Seahawks had previously played in the Pittsburgh organization and appeared in 15 games across two stints with the Pirates last season. In 105 games at Triple-A Indianapolis, Smith-Njigba hit .280 with 28 doubles, 15 home runs and 74 RBIs. Smith-Njigba was originally a fourth-round pick in the 2017 amateur draft by the New ...

Lightner will air Pirates games

The Pittsburgh Pirates are back …. on local radio. Lightner Communications, the area’s only locally owned broadcasting company, announced Friday that the Pittsburgh Pirates will return to the radio airwaves in the Altoona and Johnstown markets. Games, which were dropped without any notice last year by Seven Mountain Media, will air on HANK-FM 96.1 in the Altoona market and on KOOL 102.9-FM in the Johnstown market. A preseason game, set for Saturday, Feb. 24, with the Minnesota Twins, will air that day. “The Altoona and Johnstown markets are very passionate about their sports and ...

Marlins to honor Clemente memory

The Associated Press MIAMI — Some of Roberto Clemente’s most impactful career and life moments are on display at the Miami Marlins’ loanDepot Park. A traveling exhibit titled “3,000” — a nod to the day on Sept. 30, 1972, that the late Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder became the first Latin American-born major league player with 3,000 hits — stopped at the Caribbean Series held at the Marlins’ home ballpark. The collection, curated by Dennis Rivera-Pichardo, who is director of photography at the Puerto Rican newspaper El Nuevo Dia consists of 10 bright yellow modules ...