February 21st, 2024, spring training notebook: Keller hopes for extension, Tellez looking slim
It was another quiet day for the Pittsburgh Pirates in Bradenton on Tuesday.
![Feb 20, 2024; Bradenton, FL, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Roansy Contreras (59) poses](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_crop,w_5472,h_3078,x_0,y_567/c_fill,w_752,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/images/ImagnImages/mmsport/4/01hq51tjkxjqq77k7ds8.jpg)
Picture day for the Pittsburgh Pirates, Rowdy Tellez looks slimmed down, and more spring training news and notes
It was another quiet day in Bradenton as the Pittsburgh Pirates continue to get ready for their spring training opener on Saturday against the Minnesota Twins.
Despite the quietness there are still a handful of topics worthy of discussion both coming out of Pirates camp and around Major League Baseball. Let's take a look at those topics in today's spring training notebook.
TUESDAY'S TOP STORIES
Before jumping into Tuesday's notes, let's take a look at what you may have missed from RumBunter.
If you didn't read yesterday's notebook, be sure to check it out with topics such as Chase Anderson arriving at camp and why he chose Pittsburgh.
The Pirates are hoping to take a step forward in 2024 which means everyone will be feeling the pressure but Zack VonStein takes a look at five Buccos in particular who could be feeling the most pressure entering this upcoming season.
One player that will need to take a step forward for the Pirates is catcher Henry Davis. Marty Leap discusses Davis and his upcoming season, here.
Finally, Noah Wright provides three hot takes about the Pirates entering this spring.
NOTES FROM BRADENTON
Smile! It was picture day for the Pirates on Tuesday in Bradenton.
Good morning ☀️ pic.twitter.com/N6TQLZ1Joo
— Pittsburgh Pirates (@Pirates) February 20, 2024
A slimmed down Rowdy? On Tuesday, the Pirates posted a video and pictures of offseason free agency signing Rowdy Tellez taking hacks in the cage. Based off the photos it looks like Tellez might have slimmed down this offseason. Perhaps it's just a flattering angle but he does appear to have lost some weight from his last reported weight of 270 pounds.
Rowdy hacks 💪 pic.twitter.com/9S3SDGeuZ8
— Pittsburgh Pirates (@Pirates) February 20, 2024
Pirate front of the line starter Mitch Keller is hoping a recent conversation with owner Bob Nutting will eventually result in a long-term extension. Pirates beat writer Kevin Gorman of the Tribune-Review has more, here.
NOTES FROM AROUND THE LEAGUE
Like for the Pirates, it was a quiet day around the league but there was a handful of notable news stories.
Courtesy of Sam Blum of The Athletic, Major League Baseball Players Assocation executive director Tony Clark said that players are "frustrated' with the state of the new Nike jerseys that have debuted this spring across the league.
Former Pirate Diego Castillo's trip around Major League Baseball has come to an end. The 26-year old infielder was outrighted by the Baltimore Orioles to Triple-A Norfolk on Tuesday. It marks the end of a long couple weeks for Castillo in which he was a member of the Arizona Diamondbacks, New York Mets, New York Yankees, and Philadelphia Phillies.
The Tampa Bay Rays added quality infield depth to their roster on Tuesday by inking shortstop Amed Rosario to a one year deal. The Rays will be the fourth organization that Rosario will be a part of as he enters year eight of his career. Rosario previously spent four years with the New York Mets, two and half seasons with the Cleveland Guardians, and half a season with the Los Angeles Dodgers. For his career, Rosario is a .272/.308/.400 hitter with 60 home runs and 334 RBI.
3 hot takes. 3 Pirate hot takes. dark. Next