Luis Cruz News

Huntington paused for a long moment, then chose his words carefully: "That's a good question." Duke is a key member of the starting rotation, so he'll be tendered.

INDIANAPOLIS ? Former Pirates manager Danny Murtaugh came up four votes shy of winning a spot in the Hall of Fame.

I like the addition of Chulk, who I identified a while back as one of the more interesting minor league free agents.

Cruz, 25, batted .214 with 2 RBI in 27 games during two stints with the Pirates last season.

Brewers reliever Mark DiFelice has had surgery on his right shoulder. Milwaukee announced Monday that the right-hander had surgery Thursday to repair a torn labrum and rotator cuff.

The Pirates placed infielder Luis Cruz on waivers, an indication they intend to use their second overall pick in the Rule 5 draft at the Winter Meetings.

Navojoa 9, Guasave 5 Braves prospect Reid Gorecki, who homered twice and knocked home five runs on Wednesday, went 3-for-4 with a two-run homer in the first inning to help Navojoa's win.

Pirates ' players and friends in Tuesday's winter league action: MEXICAN PACIFIC LEAGUE Mayos de Navojoa 5, Tomateros de Culiacan 3 Three runs in the top of the 9th gave Navojoa the come-from-behind win over Culiacan.

Thursday evening's action in the winter leagues, involving Pirates' players and friends... The Dominican League had a scheduled day off on Thursday.

Friday's winter league action featuring Pirates' players and friends: VENEZUELAN LEAGUE Bravos de Margarita 11, Cardenales de Lara 1 3B Neil Walker started the scoring for Los Bravos, with his second homer of the winter season, a solo blast over the left field wall to begin the 2nd inning.

The Pirates' Neil Walker, Robinzon Diaz, Ronny Cedeno and Luis Cruz will play winter ball.

The Pirates have spent two years talking about how important it is to change the losing culture of the franchise.

Pittsburgh Pirates infielders and outfielders celebrate an 11-1 win over the Los Angeles Dodgers in Pittsburgh on Monday.

The statistics will show that the Pirates are Major League Baseball's best defensive team.

While their parent club finishes up another lost season, two of the Pirates' top prospects now own gold medals.

While a handful of players on the Pirates' Major League roster have committed to playing winter ball this offseason, general manager Neal Huntington made it no secret that he is disappointed that more aren't following suit.

Photo Wire Pittsburgh Pirates' Luis Cruz throws to first base after fielding a ball hit by Los Angeles Dodgers' Andre Ethier during the sixth inning of a baseball game in Los Angeles, Tuesday, Sept.

In addition to the September callups coming next week, the Pirates are considering bringing a couple of prospects to Pittsburgh to work out with the team and get a taste of the Major League Baseball environment.

Jesse Chavez had to fight his way to the major leagues as a low-round draft pick.

Left-hander Paul Maholm will start one game in Monday's day-night doubleheader against Cincinnati, but manager John Russell on Friday was not ready to say which one.