Pirates Look For Step Forward

PITTSBURGH (AP) – The Pittsburgh Pirates are looking to take a step forward in 2022 after three straight last-place finishes in the NL Central. The franchise has stockpiled prospects since general manager Ben Cherington took over in 2019 but most of them are not ready for the major leagues. If Pittsburgh is going to compete, it will need the pitching staff to bounce back from a rough 2022 and hope third baseman Ke’Bryan Hayes avoids the kind of injuries that derailed his rookie season. The Pirates open the season April 7 at St. Louis.