Kevin Hart seems to be losing ground in the competition against fellow right-hander Daniel McCutchen for the one open spot in the Pirates rotation.
Hart drew raves from manager John Russell for how well he was throwing during the early portion of spring training. However, Hart struggled mightily since the exhibition games started, as he had given up seven runs in just three innings in his first two starts, walking seven and allowing four hits.
McCutchen, meanwhile, had given up one run in four innings in his first two outings of the Grapefruit League season. He allowed three hits and issued no walks.
"It's still too early to look at it in the sense that we're trying to pick a guy," Russell said.

Joe Blanton used a mix of fastballs and changeups to shut down the Detroit Tigers, leading the Philadelphia Phillies to a 4-0 victory Thursday. Blanton has focused solely on the fastball-changeup combination in his first two spring starts before he incorporates breaking pitches into his repertoire. So far the results have been promising: Blanton held the Tigers to three singles in four innings of...

Matt Garza looked good and felt even better. After two exhibition outings, including three scoreless innings Monday in Tampa Bay's 4-3 victory over a Pittsburgh Pirates split-squad, the Rays right-hander is happy about the way he's pitching this spring. Garza won 11 games two years ago in his first full season in the majors and was the MVP of the 2008 AL championship series while helping...

BRADENTON, Fla. - Kevin Hart, vying for a spot in Pittsburgh's starting rotation, battled through one rocky inning and Ryan Church hit a two-run homer Saturday, as the Pittsburgh Pirates and Philadelphia Phillies played to a 3-3 tie in 10 innings.

Kevin Hart, vying for a spot in Pittsburgh's starting rotation, battled through one rocky inning and Ryan Church hit a two-run homer Saturday, as the Pittsburgh Pirates and Philadelphia Phillies played to a 3-3 tie in 10 innings. Hart was scheduled to pitch two innings, but left the game after tossing 38 pitches in the top of the first inning.

Alex Rodriguez was back in his comfort zone: between the white lines. Rodriguez singled, No. 98 Colin Curtis hit a three-run homer in the ninth inning and the New York Yankees beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 6-3 Wednesday with owner George Steinbrenner in attendance to watch the World Series champions in their spring opener.

Alex Rodriguez went 1 for 2, No. 98 Colin Curtis hit a game-winning three-run homer in the ninth inning and the New York Yankees beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 6-3 Wednesday with principal owner George Steinbrenner in attendance for their spring opener. Rodriguez has been contacted by federal investigators regarding a Canadian doctor accused of selling an unapproved drug.