Welcome Back Donnie Veal and Other Pirates Coming and Going

Donnie Veal returns to the Pirates for the weekend series in Philadelphia. Pull out your lab coat Dr John Russell we have some work to do with his delivery perhaps  Dr. Kerrigan could put his pitching PHD to use.  Video follows jump Veal comes back after an injury rehab(the ever elusive pulled groin) assignment in AAA Indy where he gave up 10 earned runs in 14 innings.  Yikes!

Also Veal allowed 16 walks and amassed 10 strikeouts.  There is no official word on whether he will be hidden as well as he was during his first stint with the club when he pitched only 6.1 innings.  They were ugly innings.

The Rule 5 player is is 0-0 with a 4.26ERA this season on the big league level.  It’s hard not to cheer for the big lefthander, especially after reading our story from spring training and after watching the video from earlier in his career as he discusses losing both parents.

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Steve Pearce has looked lost at the plate since his call up on June 20.  He had performed well at AAA batting 277 with eleven doubles and eleven homers and 43RBI.  It hasn’t translated to the big leagues.  Pearce pinch hit for Morton yesterday.  Took a fastball for a strike, fouled off the 77mph curve, took a fastball for strike three.  Ugh.  DFA happened after the game.

Steven Jackson was also sent back down to Indy. Jackson allowed seven earned runs in 18.1 IP.  He was a ground ball specialist who was effective in many of his early 17 appearances.

Jeff Salazar has been 0-for-3 in his pinch hit appearances since his call up on June 30.  Again, I could see DFA in his future very soon.

Maybe this picture tells the whole story, the Pirates are focused intently on Coach Perry Hill during spring training.  Perhaps, that is why the Bucs lead the league in defense.