FORT MYERS, Fla. -- Results matter to Joe Musgrove in spring training. To an extent.
“You want to get people out anytime you pitch, regardless of the situation,” he said.
Musgrove didn’t have great results Wednesday as the Pirates rallied from a five-run deficit in the last two innings to beat the Twins 6-5 in an exhibition game at Hammond Stadium. He gave up three runs and eight hits in five innings with four strikeouts and no walks.
However, Musgrove got through his last start of the Grapefruit League healthy and that was more important than the runs he allowed. The big right-hander underwent surgery in October for a stress reaction in his pelvis and a hernia.
“The buildup (of endurance) and everything have been good this spring,” Musgrove said. “Coming off the surgery, the biggest thing for me is making sure I’m healthy. I haven’t had any setbacks all spring. I feel really good going into my last start of the spring."
Musgrove threw 68 pitches in the game, then 12 more in the bullpen afterward.
He will pitch a simulated game next Monday morning at Pirate City before joining his teammates later that night in Houston for the opener of a two-game exhibition series against the Astros. Musgrove will then make his first regular-season start March 31 against the Reds in the finale of the season-opening three-game series in Cincinnati.
Four of Musgrove’s six starts will have been in sim games. He wasn’t wild about that idea at the start of spring training but feels he has benefitted by pitching against his teammates in games at Pirate City, especially because he could talk to the hitters between innings.
“You can’t go up to the opposing teams and ask, ‘How did that pitch look?’” Musgrove said. “We get honest feedback from our guys. That communication is helping us advance.”
The Pirates scored four runs in the eighth inning and two in the ninth for their fourth straight win, evening their record at 12-12. Minor-league outfielder Logan Hill and Colin Moran hit back-to-back RBI singles.
Moran’s hit came two days after learning he had lost out to Jung Ho Kang in the competition to be the starting third baseman. Moran finished 2-for-4 with two RBIs and started at first base for the second time in three days as he looks to make the team as a backup corner infielder.
Pablo Reyes continued his strong bid to win a utility role by going 3-for-5 with two runs scored.
Michael Feliz followed Musgrove and gave up a two-run home run to Jonathan Schoop in the sixth that pushed the Twins’ lead to 5-0. Feliz’s chances of being on the opening day roster continue to fade as he has allowed runs in five straight appearances.
Nick Burdi, Clay Holmes and Brandon Maurer finished with one shutout inning apiece.
The Pirates must keep Burdi on the major-league roster as a Rule 5 Draft pick or offer him back to the Twins. Burdi’s chances of sticking look pretty good as he has allowed just two runs and four hits over 9 1/3 innings while striking out 13.
“I feel like I’ve performed well this spring and now we’ll see what happens,” Burdi said. “I know I’ve given it my best shot. Obviously, I’d like to stay here.”
• Gregory Polanco will take another significant step in his recovery from shoulder surgery next week when he plays right field in a minor-league spring training game. Polanco has been limited to serving as the designated hitter in minor-league games.
Polanco has increased the length of his throwing to 150 feet from 120 feet in the last week. The Pirates feel that is far enough for Polanco to return to playing in the field, though they have cautioned to take advantage of cutoff men and not to overthrow.
“We’d prefer he not try to airmail any throws from right field to (Francisco) Cervelli on the fly,” Pirates director of sports medicine Todd Tomczyk said with a smile.
The Pirates still have no firm timetable on Polanco’s return, but it is now beginning to look like he may be back sometime in May.
Meanwhile, Elias Diaz has returned to full baseball activities after missing 2 ½ weeks earlier in camp because of a virus.
Tomczyk estimates that Diaz would likely need two weeks before he is ready to play in a major-league game. That means the backup catcher will begin the season on the injured list but could be activated in early April.
Chad Kuhl and Edgar Santana are throwing off flat ground at 90 feet as they continue to rehab from Tommy John surgery.
• Rookie Davis is officially out of the running for the fifth starter’s job — no surprise considering the right-hander was used for just two innings Tuesday in a win over the Tigers in Bradenton.
Three pitchers remain in the competition for the last spot in the rotation. Jordan Lyles is considered the favorite, but Steven Brault and Nick Kingham are also in the running.
Clint Hurdle said the Pirates have yet to decide.
Davis was not signed to a minor-league contract until a week after spring training began. Thus, the Pirates ran out of time for Davis to build up enough arm strength to be ready for the regular season.
However, Davis will likely be in the rotation if he begins the season at Triple-A Indianapolis.
• The Reds have announced their season-opening rotation and Luis Castillo (10-12, 4.30 last season) will start against Jameson Taillon (14-10, 3.20) next Thursday afternoon in Cincinnati.
Trevor Williams (14-10, 3.11) will pitch for the Pirates against Sonny Gray (11-9, 4.90) in the middle game of the three-game series. Musgrove (6-9, 4.06) will face Tanner Roark (9-15, 4.34) in the finale.
• The Pirates play the Orioles at 1:05 p.m. tomorrow at Bradenton. Chris Archer will face David Hess.
Kyle Crick and Tyler Lyons are also scheduled to pitch for the Pirates. Burdi will pitch in a minor-league game at Pirate City.
The game will be televised by AT&T SportsNet Pittsburgh.
PERROTTO'S VIEWS
No need to be concerned about Musgrove giving up eight hits in five innings. A few of the hits came off soft contact and the most important thing is that he is completely recovered from the surgery.
Any chance of Feliz making the team, and it was slim, evaporated with the gopher ball. Conversely, Burdi is almost certain to be on the opening-day roster and Holmes and Maurer will give the Pirates relief options at Triple-A Indianapolis.
It's going to be hard to keep Reyes off the team. He puts the ball on the, he has some power and speed, he can play all over the field and he's lovable guy on top of it all.
