Weekly Report: RIP Maz; Marcell Here & Jack Gone; Spring Games Begin & Camp Notes

Camp’s off & running…

Pirates Stuff:

• Losing the Baron last week hurt; this week, the pain doubled when Bill Mazeroski passed away at the age of 89. Known for his 1960 World Series homer and almost flawless defensive work, he left behind a huge legacy. Known for his 1960 World Series homer and almost flawless defensive work, he left behind a huge legacy. Maz collected over 2,000 hits in his 17-year career (all as a Pirate), wore a pair of World Series title rings, earned ten All-Star nods, garnered eight Gold Glove awards, his #9 was retired, a statue was erected in his honor and a PNC lane was named after him. He was elected to both the Pirates and National Halls of Fame.

LECOM Park 2-22-2026 photo/Pirates

• Seemed curious when the Bucs kept OF Jack Suwinski on the 40-man and got more curious when they DFA’ed him. Actually, it’s not that curious – the Marcell Ozuna signing became official Monday and Jack wasn’t left with much of a big league path with the Pirates, so he was moved to clear a 40-man spot. There wasn’t much chance that Suwinski would make it through the waiver process, and he didn’t – the Los Angeles Dodgers claimed him.
• The 2026 WBC opens on Thursday, March 5. The Pirates are sending eight MLB players led by Paul Skenes and 14 guys in all, with RHP Antwone Kelly the most touted of the farm guys, to the tourney this year.

Camp Stuff:

• On Saturday, the Bucs visited the O’s to open the Grapefruit League campaign, then spent a split Sunday with a home match v Tampa Bay and a road trip to take on the Phillies. The Bucs beat the Birds, 8-2, on Saturday. Wilber Dotel got the dub while Ryan O’Hearn and Endy Rodriguez homered.
• The pregame for the Sunday home opener featured a tribute to Maz, SportsNet Pgh ran a series of programs that featured #9 after the Buc-Rays game ended while MLB Network replayed Game #7 of the ’60 Series. It was a good day as the Pirates swept the split set against Tampa Bay (7-4) and Philly (4-3). In the home opener, Mitch Keller broke out a new-grip changeup, Bryan Reynolds went 3-for-3 and Nick Cimillo homered. All the offense v Philly came about thanks to one swing by Esmerlyn Valdez that resulted in a sixth-inning grand slam. There was a cost; injury-bitten 3B prospect Jack Brannigan took a bad hop off his face and left the game; the Pirates will release an update after he’s examined by the team medicos. The Pirates are off to a quick 3-0 Grapefruit League start. 

Esmerlyn Valdez 10/2025 photo/MLB Pipeline

• If you’ve been wondering, Paul Skenes will make his first spring start v the Atlanta Braves on Wednesday.
• Not much live action to judge by yet, but Konnor Griffin is flashing power and scorching the baseball. If he keeps on, it’ll be interesting to see where the Pirates roster him, considering he’s only played 21 AA games.
• Another good sign – rehabbing Jared Jones graduated on Friday from throwing bullpens to live BP.
• Steve Blass and Gene Lamont were roaming around camp as the youthful Bucs got to jaw with some of the old guard.

MLB Stuff: 

• IF Adam Frazier signed a minor league/NRI deal with the Angels. It’s Fraze’s fifth team during his 10-year MLB career.
• C Elias Diaz inked a minor league/NRI contract with the KC Royals; he spent last season with the Padres.