Pirates News: Domingo Germán elects free agency, Rays stadium issues, Paul Skenes

It had long felt like a foregone conclusion, but now it's official: the Domingo Germán experiment in Pittsburgh appears to be over for good.

The Pittsburgh Pirates signed the right-hander to a minor league deal in March and assigned him to Triple-A Indianapolis. It was a rather controversial signing, considering Germán's checkered past that included multiple suspensions by MLB for on- and off-field issues.

Germán appeared in seven games, including two starts, for the Pirates last season after being called up from Triple-A in early August. He went 0-1 with a 7.84 ERA over 20 2/3 innings, striking out 18 with 13 walks. After experimenting with Germán as a starter and in a bullpen role, the Pirates outrighted him off the 40-man roster in September to create a roster spot for southpaw Joey Wentz, whom they claimed off waivers from the Detroit Tigers.

Germán, who was formally released by the Pirates on Tuesday, became one of eight players to elect minor league free agency this week. Good riddance to a failed experiment by the Pirates.

Hurricane Milton jeopardizes Pirates' season-opening road trip in 2025

The Pirates are set to open the 2025 season with back-to-back road series, first against the Miami Marlins, and then against the Tampa Bay Rays. The Rays, however, are in need of a new home due to the damage sustained during Hurricane Milton that will leave them unable to open the 2025 season at Tropicana Field.

The Pirates are currently scheduled to play a three-game series against the Rays beginning March 31 in Tampa Bay. While it's still unknown how long the team's displacement will last, it seems highly unlikely that the necessary repairs to Tropicana Field will be completed before the end of March (if at all).

Where the Pirates will be headed after their opening series in Miami is still anyone's guess, but the rumored possibilities run the gamut. Some options include George M. Steinbrenner Field in Tampa (home of the New York Yankees' Single-A affiliate, the Tampa Tarpons), Charlotte Sports Park in Port Charlotte, Fla. (the Rays' Spring Training home), ESPN Wide World of Sports Park in Orlando and even Oakland Coliseum, the former home of the Oakland Athletics.

Paul Skenes enjoys offseason, pumps up crowd at LSU football game

Fresh off a rookie MLB campaign that has placed him in the front of the race for the National League Rookie of the Year Award, Pirates pitching phenom Paul Skenes appears to be enjoying his offseason in Baton Rouge.

Skenes attended Saturday's football game between LSU, his alma mater, and Ole Miss with his girlfriend, LSU gymnast Livvy Dunne, and was shown on the jumbotron during the game, hyping up the crowd before a key play that ultimately sent the game to overtime and resulted in a 29-26 LSU victory.

Now, if only the Pirates could ride the Skenes hype train to a few more wins as well.

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