PIRATES

Follow along below for live updates from Ben Cherington's appearance on the team-produced radio show:

• On offseason approach for the offense focusing on passing the baton: "Definitely, building a deeper lineup was one of our goals and we haven’t had everyone at full throttle all at the same time yet this season, but sometimes you’re just not gonna have that, and that’s the point, that’s benefit of a deeper lineup..." 

• On the offensive improvement: "There's responsibility enough to improve roster. We knew we had to do that. There's skill development process that's happening all the time and there's a lot that goes into that... guys working on their swing and how they're moving and that's the training element every day. I'm mostly focus on approach, number one what pitches are we swinging at, which are we not swinging at."

• On offseason approach with Andrew McCutchen: "We didn't make any decisions specifically about Andrew. We made a decision going into the offseason that we owed it to our fans to deliver better, to deliver better outcomes. Ultimately, our fans care about effort. They certainly care about certain players that they're attached to, but ultimately believe that what our fans prioritize more than anything else is the outcomes of the team. What is the team doing everything it can to deliver better outcomes, which are wins? That was my focus early, that was our focus going into the offseason.

• On Konnor Griffin: "He has not changed one iota of who he is as a defensive player, as an overall baseball player, as a teammate.. has worked, caring about the right stuff, is showing through those challenges, why we believe it in the first place."

• Regarding Jared Triolo's rehab, Cherington mentioned additional games in Bradenton before moving up to the higher levels: "Just really want to make sure he's moving well, running the bases."

• Cherington mentioned Jared Jones will begin his rehab assignment on Wednesday and anticipates several outings. 

• Cherington anticipates Braxton Ashcraft to pitch in the Cardinals series. 

• On Seth Hernandez and pushing to High-A Greensboro: He'll let the pitching group make those decisions and recommendations.