Pirates News: Roster cuts, Double-A games on TV, new PNC Park food options

The Pittsburgh Pirates made another round of cuts at Major League camp on Monday, bringing their spring training roster down to 42 players.

In addition to optioning catcher Jason Delay to Triple-A Indianapolis, the Pirates also reassigned infielders Darick Hall and Alika Williams, infielder/outfielders Nick Solak and Matt Gorski, outfielder Bryce Johnson, right-handed pitcher Yohan Ramírez and catcher Abraham Gutierrez to minor league spring training.

Delay, who broke camp with the Pirates last year, was one of three catchers vying for the backup role behind Joey Bart on the Major League roster. His option to Triple-A presumably means that battle is now down to Henry Davis and Endy Rodríguez.

Hall started at first base four times for the Pirartes this spring, and Gorski came off the bench to play the position. DJ Stewart, Jared Triolo, Nick Yorke and Billy Cook are the remaining options in Pirates camp who could play first base while Spencer Horwitz out with a wrist injury.

Pirates' Double-A affiliate to broadcast 20 games on SportsNet Pittsburgh in 2025

The Altoona Curve, Pittsburgh's Double-A affiliate, announced this week that regional sports network SportsNet Pittsburgh will air 20 of their home games in 2025.

The network, which is the television home of the Pirates and the NHL's Pittsburgh Penguins, is also available to in-market customers via streaming on SportsNetPittsburgh+. The broadcast agreement will give Pirates fans an extended opportunity to watch some of the top prospects in Pittsburgh's system who are ticketed to play at the Double-A level, including infielder Termarr Johnson (No. 4 according to MLB Pipeline) and left-handed pitchers Anthony Solometo (No.7) and Hunter Barco (No. 14).

The first 2025 Curve game to air on SportsNet Pittsburgh will be April 16 at 12 p.m. when Altoona hosts the Somerset Patriots (New York Yankees). SportsNet Pittsburgh will air a total of 12 Curve games this season, and an additional eight will air on SportsNet Pittsburgh+.

Pirates unveil several new menu items at PNC Park in 2025

The Pirates and Aramark are unveiling a number of new and exciting food choices for fans attending games at PNC Park this season, beginning with the April 4 home opener against the Yankees.

Some of the new menu items honor the unique local flavor of Pittsburgh, such as the Polish Cannonball. A combination of egg noodles, kielbasa, cabbage, bacon and cheddar cheese fried into a bite-sized ball and served with an herb crema dip, the Polish Cannonball highlights the deep Polish roots in the Pittsburgh area.

Other Pittsburgh-specific food items debuting this season include the Fried Almond Torte – fried funnel cake batter topped with raspberry sauce, icing and burnt almonds – and the Chipped Ham Empanada filled with barbecue chipped ham, cheddar cheese and pickles.

New items that will be available both at PNC Park and at select other MLB ballparks this season include a Cotton Candy Mask, a 98-ounce Popcorn Bat and a baseball-shaped Fastball Souvenir Cup designed to hold frozen cocktails or other beverages.

More Pirates content from Rum Bunter