Jack Suwinski designated for assignment by Pittsburgh Pirates

Jack Suwinski designated for assignment by Pirates

SEASON, THERE WAS PLENTY TO DISCUSS. AS FAR AS I’M CONCERNED, ANDREW WILL ALWAYS BE A PIRATE. YOU KNOW, I THINK I THINK MOST PEOPLE FEEL THAT WAY, MOST. I CERTAINLY SPEAK FOR THE ORGANIZATION AND THAT WE THAT’S HOW WE FEEL. THAT WAS PIRATES GENERAL MANAGER BEN CHERINGTON SPEAKING ON HOW THE MARCELL OZUNA DEAL AFFECTS THE PIRATES PLANS ON BRINGING BACK ANDREW MCCUTCHEN. OZUNA IS A DESIGNATED HITTER, A ROLE COACH PRIMARILY HAD LAST SEASON. AL CHERINGTON WOULDN’T COME OUT AND SAY THEY’RE OFFICIALLY CLOSING THE DOOR ON HIM. IT DOES NOT SOUND LIKE THE TEAM IS WORKING TO BRING HIM BACK. THE PIRATES WILL NEVER, YOU KNOW, SHUT THE DOOR COMPLETELY. SHUT THE DOOR ON ANDREW MCCUTCHEN. THAT’S JUST, YOU KNOW, HOW WE FEEL ABOUT THEM. THAT’S NOT GOING TO HAPPEN. SOMETIMES WHEN YOU ARE MAKING THOSE DECISIONS, THEY’RE GOING TO BE HARD. YOU KNOW, SOME OF THOSE DECISIONS ARE HARD. AND I THINK THAT AGAIN, THAT’S THE NATURE OF THESE THINGS. TREMENDOUS RESPECT FOR ANDREW. AND CERTAINLY OUR DESIRE WOULD BE TO HAVE A STRONG RELATIONSHIP WITH HIM GOING FORWARD. YOU KNOW, RIGHT NOW, OBVIOUSLY FOCUS ON THE GUYS THAT ARE HERE IN BRADENTON AND GETTING READY TO PREPARE FOR A SEASON. MEANWHILE, THEY DID BRING BACK MANAGER DON KELLY FOR HIS FIRST FULL SEASON IN THAT ROLE. I ASKED THE MOUNT LEBANON NATIVE HIS EMOTIONS HEADING INTO HIS FIRST SPRING TRAINING. THE EXCITEMENT IS IS REAL. IT’S HIGH. I THINK THAT THERE’S ALWAYS EXCITEMENT GOING INTO SPRING AND LOOKING AT THIS ONE, WITH THE MOVES THAT WE’VE BEEN ABLE TO MAKE IN THE OFF SEASON, TO PAIR WITH THE GUYS THAT WE HAVE COMING BACK. IT’S REAL. THEY’RE IT’S IT’S YOU CAN FEEL IT AROUND CAMP. YOU CAN FEEL IT IN IN THE CLUBHOUSE, OUT ON THE FIELDS. GUYS ARE EXCITED TO TO GO. POSITION PLAYERS REPORTED TO SPRING TRAINING ON THE 15TH. THE FOX FIRST GAME OF GRAPEFRUIT LEAGUE PLA

The Pittsburgh Pirates designated outfielder Jack Suwinski for assignment Monday, as the club held its first full-team workout at spring training in Bradenton, Florida.The move clears a roster spot for veteran slugger Marcell Ozuna, who signed a one-year deal with a mutual option for the 2027 season. The Ozuna deal was officially announced Monday.Video above: Pirates GM addresses Andrew McCutchen’s status for 2026 seasonAfter hitting 19 home runs as a rookie in 2022, and 26 the following season, Suwinski has struggled at the plate.The 27-year-old Suwinski slashed .147/.281/.253 with an OPS of .534 last year, hitting three home runs while striking out 57 times in 150 at-bats. He started the season on Pittsburgh’s opening day roster, but played in just 59 games and had two stints at Triple-A Indianapolis.The Pirates added two outfielders, Jake Mangum and prospect Jhostynxon Garcia, in offseason trades, and signed first baseman Ryan O’Hearn, who can also play the outfield. Ozuna is expected to serve as a designated hitter.

The Pittsburgh Pirates designated outfielder Jack Suwinski for assignment Monday, as the club held its first full-team workout at spring training in Bradenton, Florida.

The move clears a roster spot for veteran slugger Marcell Ozuna, who signed a one-year deal with a mutual option for the 2027 season. The Ozuna deal was officially announced Monday.

Video above: Pirates GM addresses Andrew McCutchen’s status for 2026 season

After hitting 19 home runs as a rookie in 2022, and 26 the following season, Suwinski has struggled at the plate.

The 27-year-old Suwinski slashed .147/.281/.253 with an OPS of .534 last year, hitting three home runs while striking out 57 times in 150 at-bats. He started the season on Pittsburgh’s opening day roster, but played in just 59 games and had two stints at Triple-A Indianapolis.

The Pirates added two outfielders, Jake Mangum and prospect Jhostynxon Garcia, in offseason trades, and signed first baseman Ryan O’Hearn, who can also play the outfield. Ozuna is expected to serve as a designated hitter.