Doug Mientkiewicz News

Pirates' Doug Mientkiewicz and Diamondbacks' pitcher Randy Johnson, right are restrained from getting to each other.

Neil Walker was named the International League's best defensive third baseman by Baseball America in just his second season at that position.

Before getting to your questions, I must first play messenger. I was taking some personal vacation time last Tuesday when an e-mail showed up on my Blackberry from former Pirates reliever Salomon Torres.

Although the Pirates plan to increase their payroll next season, topping $50 million for only the fourth time, they will not make a big splash in the free-agent market.

All four of the team's potential free agents -- Doug Mientkiewicz, Chris Gomez, Luis Rivas and Jason Michaels -- have now filed, another sign that the offseason is about to get exciting.

Moss might complete his rehab in time for the start of spring training. "It's still too early to say for sure, but his prognosis is very good," Pirates general manager Neal Huntington said.

As general manager Neal Huntington prepares to shape the Pirates' 2009 roster, he said he plans to approach both outfielder Jason Michaels and utility man Doug Mientkiewicz about the possibility of each fitting ...

Things are going pretty well so far in the Bay State. Ever since came to Boston in a deadline deal for , the low-key, un-dreadlocked left fielder has fit right in.

For the last 16 seasons, Pirates fans have held firm to the notion that there is always next year.

With injuries to outfielders Brandon Moss and Nyjer Morgan cutting their seasons short, Steve Pearce has been assured of starting the Pirates' final games in the outfield.

Early this season, when just about every starter other than Phil Dumatrait was pitching poorly, a baseball executive with another team told me that Paul Maholm would end up rising above the rest, if not this ...

Every short outing by a starter, every blown save by a reliever and every ball an opponent hit out of the park was a blow to the reputation of Pirates pitching coach Jeff Andrews.

Bush is out of the game, having walked three batters, all of which scored. Pirates 3, Brewers 2. 4th inning: Pittsburgh got a couple singles but couldn't plate a run.

Prince Fielder hit a two-out, two-run homer in the ninth inning Tuesday, boosting the Milwaukee Brewers past the Pirates, 7-5. With two outs in the ninth, Ryan Braun hit an infield single against right-handed ...

Nate McLouth's 2008 timeline includes a heated positional battle in Spring Training, a 19-game hitting streak to begin the regular season and a sparkling appearance in the All-Star Game at Yankee Stadium.

First baseman Adam LaRoche, who's arbitration-eligible, met with manager John Russell and general manager Neal Huntington on Tuesday afternoon.

Jeff Karstens: 5 runs, 11 hits in five innings. Doug Mientkiewicz, fresh off kicking an equipment box in the aftermath of the Pirates' flat-lined 6-2 loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers last night at PNC Park, went ...

It really is. You've got three guys who run balls out right now. It's frustrating.

Electrical lines damaged by Hurricane Ike are repaired Sunday, Sept. 14, 2008 in Port Arthur, Texas.

It's probably good that the Cardinals and Pirates won't see each other again this year.