Thursday: Tyler Anderson Kicks Off Marlins Series v Elieser Hernandez; Hayes Back, Crowe To Indy; Injuries Report

Today’s Game: The Bucs host the Marlins at PNC Park for a four game set, with the first pitch at 7:05. The match is on AT&T SportsNet & 93.7 The Fan. Tonight is Dollar Dog night. It’s also a Beer Passport game; you can purchase a special ticket to sample some craft brews before the game. And good news; clouds will stick around but the rain should hold off until well after the game.

Lineup: Adam Frazier 2B; Ke’Bryan Hayes 3B; Bryan Reynolds CF; Gregory Polanco RF; Jake Stallings C; Erik Gonzalez 1B; Ben Gamel LF; Kevin Newman SS; Tyler Anderson P. Key is back and in his #2 slot.

Pitchers: LHP Tyler Anderson (3-5/4.63) opens against RHP Elieser Hernandez (0-0/7.71). Tyler bounced back with a solid start in his last outing v the Cubs, so hopefully his Bravo beatdown was just one of those days. He’s 1-3 /3.96 ERA in five career starts against the Fish. Hernandez just came off the 60-day IL after biceps inflammation and last worked April 3rd. He had a good 2020 campaign, although getting through the fifth was a hurdle for him. Eli’s only worked four innings (six runs, four earned) against Pittsburgh, with the last outing in 2019.

Notes:

• Charlie Hayes is in the house tonight to watch son Ke’Bryan play. The move to get Key back on the roster:  Wil Crowe was optioned to Indy. JT Brubaker is also back from the bereavement list, but won’t be activated until he clears the Covid protocol. On the injury front, Ka’ai Tom (wrist) is day-to-day regarding availability off the bench and Trevor Cahill (IL – left side discomfort) has been pain-free in workouts.
• Fast starter: Fraze has gone 8-for-12  with three doubles and a homer in the first inning since May 20th. 
• This is Starling Marte’s first trip back to PNC Park since the 2019 campaign.
• The Pirates have sold IF Ildemaro Vargas, who had been DFA’ed, to the Arizona Diamondbacks. It’s a reunion – Vargas played for the D-Backs from 2017-20 at the start of his career.
• Ouch…Indy’s sore-armed RHP Miguel Yajure was placed on the 7-day IL (retroactive to June 1). Precautionary move, we hope. OF Travis Swaggerty had surgery on his dislocated shoulder, so his season is done. Also, Rule 5 pick RHP Jose Soriano (TJ surgery) felt more elbow discomfort in his last rehab start and was shut down; he’s in Pittsburgh getting examined.

Tomorrow’s Game: The game starts at 7:05 and will be carried by AT&T SportsNet & 93.7 The Fan. It’s a free tee giveaway night.