APRIL 15, 2021 • MLB.COM
ANTHONY ALFORD
Bucs GM on CF struggles: 'Give it some time' PITTSBURGH -- The Pirates haven't seen much production out of their center fielders in the first two weeks of the 2021 season, but general m...
Looking for first hit Alford went 0-for-4 with four strikeouts in an 8-2 win over the Cubs.
Impact He's hitless in 15 at-bats with three walks and 12 strikeouts. Fowler and fellow center fielder, Dustin Fowler, have struggled so mightily that there's a chance the team could shift Bryan Reynolds from left to center and put hot-hitting Phillip Evans into the outfield mix. Alford has slumped offensively since the first week of spring training and it remains to be seen how much time he'll be given to turn things around.
APRIL 11, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Losing work to Fowler Alford is out of the lineup for Thursday's game against the Cubs.
Impact Alford will be on the bench for the Pirates' third straight matchup with a right-handed starting pitcher, signaling that he's fallen behind Dustin Fowler in the pecking order for playing time in center field. The 26-year-old has gone hitless in his first 11 at-bats of the season.
APRIL 8, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Takes seat Wednesday Alford is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Reds, Kevin Gorman of TribLive.com reports.
Impact Alford and Dustin Fowler have now alternated starts in center field through the Pirates' first six games of the season. The two have combined for only two hits in 19 at-bats, so expect the duo to continue to split playing time until one runs away with the everyday role.
APRIL 7, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Heads to bench Alford is not in the lineup Monday against the Reds.
Impact Alford has started the season 0-for-7 with five strikeouts, though he's at least reached base three times via walks. Dustin Fowler gets the nod in center field Monday.
APRIL 5, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Sitting Saturday Alford is not in Saturday's lineup against the Cubs, Kevin Gorman of TribLive.com reports.
Impact Dustin Fowler will get his first start of the season in center field against righty Jake Arrieta. Alford and Fowler may have a fairly even playing time split in center field early this season.
APRIL 3, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Gets Opening Day nod Alford will start in center field and bat eighth Thursday against the Cubs.
Impact The reward for beating out Dustin Fowler, Brian Goodwin and Jared Oliva in spring training is a chance to face Kyle Hendricks at Wrigley Field. The 26-year-old hit .250 in 36 at-bats with two homers and two stolen bases in Grapefruit League action. His 3:14 BB:K throws up a caution flag, and it will be interesting to see whether he can maintain a decent batting average -- he's hit .265 in the minors -- in order for fantasy owners to take advantage of his power and speed.
APRIL 1, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Pirates outfield breakdown: Last chances for Gregory Polanco, Anthony Alford Breakout candidate Anthony Alford A former SEC football player and once a top prospect of the Blue Jays, Alford is still only 26 and for the...
MARCH 29, 2021 • TRIBLIVE.COM
Should be primary center fielder Alford is expected to open the season as the Pirates' primary center fielder after the team reassigned Brian Goodwin to minor-league camp Monday, Rob Biertempfel of The Athletic re...
Impact Dustin Fowler is also expected to make the Pirates' Opening Day roster and lingers as a potential threat to poach playing time in center field, but Alford is in the driver's seat at the position after slashing .281/.343/.874 with two home runs and one stolen base across 32 at-bats during the Grapefruit League. Alford's body of work over a slightly larger sample of regular-season action in the majors is less impressive (.529 OPS in 88 plate appearances), but his ability to steal bases and his status as a projected everyday player should make him worthy of rostering in NL-only leagues.
MARCH 29, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Returns to lineup Alford (wrist) is in the lineup for Wednesday's spring game against the Rays.
Impact Alford missed a few days after taking a pitch off his wrist Saturday, but he got in a full workout Tuesday and is ready to get back on the field. He will start in center field Wednesday, and depending how the Pirates align their outfield, he could do the same on Opening Day.
MARCH 17, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Puts in full workout Alford (wrist) was able to complete a full workout Tuesday, Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.
Impact Alford looks like he should soon be ready to rejoin the Pirates' Grapefruit League lineup. He exited a game against the Yankees last weekend after being struck on the wrist by a pitch. The 26-year-old is vying for a spot on the Pirates' Opening Day roster as a backup outfielder.
MARCH 16, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Able to swing Alford (wrist) swung a bat Sunday and Monday, Kevin Gorman of TribLive.com reports.
Impact Alford was hit by a pitch Saturday, but the fact that he's already able to do some baseball activities seemingly bodes well for his recovery. He's pushing for a roster spot this spring or even a starting role and has been stating his case quite well, going 5-for-13 with a pair of homers.
MARCH 15, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Team confident injury not serious General manager Ben Cherington is hopeful the team "dodged a bullet" in regards to the wrist injury Alford suffered Saturday, Alex Stumpf of DKPittsburghSports.com reports.
Impact Speaking during Sunday's television broadcast, Cherington sounded positive that Alford will be okay. "Looks like a contusion, he's sore today but no signs of anything more than a contusion," the general manager said. "We'll just let that calm down and hopefully he feels better the next couple days and gets back in there." Alford has five hits, including two homers, in 13 Grapefruit League at-bats. Brian Goodwin and Dustin Fowler will continue to see action in center field with Alford out.
MARCH 14, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
LeMahieu HR ends inning, no more early exits for pitchers
New York Yankees star DJ LeMahieu launched a three-run homer in an exhibition game Saturday, and that was all for Pittsburgh starter JT BrubakerMARCH 14, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Yanks newcomer Kluber takes another step after 2 lost years
Corey Kluber overcame occasional wildness, allowing two runs and four hits over four innings in his second start, and the New York Yankees beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 7-5MARCH 13, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Dealing with right wrist discomfort Alford exited Saturday's spring game against the Yankees with right wrist discomfort, Alex Stumpf of DKPittsburghSports.com reports.
Impact Alford left the game in the top of the fourth inning after being hit by a pitch, and the team has initially diagnosed him with wrist discomfort. He'll be further examined by the Pirates' medical staff, and a better idea of the severity of the injury could be known once he's spent some time with the team doctors.
MARCH 13, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Exits after HBP Alford exited Saturday's spring game against the Yankees in the top of the fourth inning after being hit by a pitch on his right arm, Alex Stumpf of DKPittsburghSports.com reports.
Impact Alford struck out in his first at-bat Saturday but was hit by a Corey Kluber pitch during his second plate appearance. The nature and severity of his injury aren't yet known, and it's unclear whether the 26-year-old will miss additional time due to the injury.
MARCH 13, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Highlight reel performance Thursday Alford went 2-for-3 with a double, homer and two RBI against Baltimore on Thursday.
Impact He also scored on a wild pitch with an aggressive display of base running and made a diving grab in left-center field. Alford's best day in the Grapefruit League came at an opportune time, as he is battling both Brian Goodwin and Dustin Fowler for the starting job in center field. After Thursday's performance, the 26-year-old is likely in the driver's seat.
MARCH 12, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Anthony Alford answers strong games from fellow outfielders with big performance of his own The Pirates’ outfielders have been making a case for group momentum the last few days. On Tuesday, offseason waiver claim Troy Stokes Jr., m...
MARCH 12, 2021 • POST-GAZETTE.COM
Will Anthony Alford's 'reckless abandon' win him the Pirates' center-field job? A standout day might have thrust Anthony Alford to the forefront of Pirates' CF competition that includes Dustin Fowler and Brian Goodwin.
MARCH 12, 2021 • THEATHLETIC.COM
Sees first action since Saturday Alford went 2-for-2 with a walk and an RBI against Atlanta on Tuesday.
Impact Recovering from an elbow injury, Alford played center field for just the second time this spring. He's competing for the starter's job in center and is out of options. Brian Goodwin can be optioned to Triple-A, while the recently acquired Dustin Fowler is also out of options. Alford looked good for four games last season before fracturing his right elbow. If he's healthy, there's a good chance he'll at least break camp with the team.
MARCH 10, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Making progress Alford (elbow) said his injury continues to improve even though he served as the team's designated hitter Monday against Toronto, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.
Impact He threw long toss up to 150 feet Monday and said his arm "felt just as good as it did before" the injury. Alford is presumably competing against Brian Goodwin for the starting job in center field. Both players are out of options. Alford homered against his former organization in Monday's game.
MARCH 2, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Anthony Alford returns from season-ending elbow injury to flash power for Pirates It was a bittersweet reunion for Anthony Alford and the Toronto Blue Jays, the organization that drafted and developed him, then discarded h...
MARCH 2, 2021 • TRIBLIVE.COM
Sigh and Cy: Bieber tagged, Bauer sharp in Dodgers debut
Reigning Cy Young Award winners Shane Bieber and Trevor Bauer got off to different starts in spring training action MondayMARCH 1, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
With one swing, Alford back on right track For Pirates outfielder Anthony Alford, it was nerve-wracking to play against the Blue Jays during Monday’s 2-2 tie in Dunedin, Fla. After al...
MARCH 1, 2021 • MLB.COM
