Pirates' Tyler Anderson loses no-hit bid in seventh vs Pads
Wil Myers singled with no outs in the seventh inning to end a no-hit bid by Pittsburgh Pirates left-hander Tyler AndersonMAY 4, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
ERIK GONZÁLEZ
Homers in loss Gonzalez went 1-for-5 with a two-run homer in Wednesday's 9-6 loss to Kansas City.
Impact The infielder is hitting just .176 in his last six games after enjoying an offensive surge in the middle of April. Regardless, Gonzalez has been a valuable contributor to Pittsburgh's lineup, having homered twice and driven in 14 runs so far. The Pirates' lack of legitimate offensive depth will likely keep Gonzalez in the everyday mix going forward even if his production isn't overwhelming, but the 29-year-old has shown flashes of potential in the early going.
APRIL 29, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Soler's three hits, three RBIs lead Royals over Pirates 9-6
Jorge Soler had two doubles among his three hits and drove in three runs to lead Kansas City over the Pittsburgh Pirates 9-6 and improve the Royals’ record to a major league-best 1...APRIL 29, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Settling into regular duties Gonzalez will start at third base and bat fifth Sunday against the Twins.
Impact With Phillip Evans spending more time in the outfield following the Pirates' recent decisions to remove Dustin Fowler and Anthony Alford from the 40-man roster, Gonzalez has been able to pick up steady work in the infield. Gonzalez will be making his eighth consecutive start Sunday.
APRIL 25, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Plays both games Wednesday Gonzalez went a combined 2-for-6 with a double and two RBI in Wednesday's doubleheader against the Tigers.
Impact He started at third base in Game 1 and then played shortstop in Game 2. After hitting just .118 in his first 17 at-bats, Gonzalez has slashed .353/.371/.500 in his last 35 plate appearances. The 29-year-old is batting .275 with one homer and 10 RBI overall, but if fantasy owners are ever going to consider using him, now is the time.
APRIL 22, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Tallies three hits in win Gonzalez went 3-for-5 with a double, two RBI and a run scored in Tuesday's 8-4 win over the Pirates.
Impact Gonzalez has been pretty quiet all year long aside from his grand slam against the Reds on April 7 so it was encouraging to see him have a productive day at the plate. He began the day with an RBI double in the first that nearly cleared the wall in center and then later tacked on an insurance run in the eighth. Gonzalez still hasn't done enough to warrant consideration in fantasy lineups with Tuesday being his first multi-hit performance of the season and all six of his RBI stemming from two games.
APRIL 14, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Pirates chase Snell in 1st inning, beat Padres 8-4
Jacob Stallings had three hits and three RBIs, and the Pittsburgh Pirates chased Blake Snell in the first inning of an 8-4 victory over the San Diego PadresAPRIL 14, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Delivers late grand slam Gonzalez went 1-for-4 with a grand slam during Wednesday's 11-4 loss to the Reds.
Impact The 29-year-old was 1-for-15 to open the season entering the ninth inning Wednesday, but he went deep with the bases loaded to prevent Cincinnati from notching a shutout. Gonzalez has started the past three games and could continue to see regular time across the diamond until Ke'Bryan Hayes (wrist) returns from the injured list.
APRIL 7, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Reds keep rolling, hit 4 HRs to back Castillo, sweep Pirates
Tyler Naquin hit another leadoff home run and the high-scoring Cincinnati Reds kept rolling, backing Luis Castillo to rout the Pittsburgh Pirates 11-4 for their fifth straight winAPRIL 7, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Gets third straight start Gonzalez will start at shortstop and bat fifth Wednesday against the Reds, Kevin Gorman of TribLive.com reports.
Impact Though Gonzalez remains in the lineup for the third game in a row, his starts have coincided with at least one Pirates regular getting a maintenance day. As such, Gonzalez doesn't look to have a grasp on a full-time role, especially since he's gotten off to a 1-for-12 start to the season at the plate.
APRIL 7, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Rizzo ends talks; Odor getting cut; restrictions to loosen
Anthony Rizzo is cutting off talks with the Chicago Cubs on a new contract and is prepared to play the season as free agency looms after the World SeriesMARCH 29, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Stays hot with homer Gonzalez went 2-for-3 with a home run in Monday's 5-3 loss to Minnesota.
Impact He started at first base and later moved to center field, showing off the versatility that will almost surely earn him an Opening Day roster spot. Even though Gonzalez is hitting .333 with two homers and three stolen bases in Grapefruit League play, the 29-year-old batted .222 in 181 at-bats in 2020 and holds a career .250 mark in the majors.
MARCH 29, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Kuhl's the rule; Pirates name Chad Kuhl opening day starter
Chad Kuhl will be the opening day starter for the Pittsburgh PiratesMARCH 29, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Tall order; Pirates 6-7 prospect Cruz adjusting on the fly
Pittsburgh Pirates prospect Oneil Cruz is happy moonlighting in the outfield but insists he's still a shortstopMARCH 4, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Starting in spring opener Gonzalez is in the starting lineup for Sunday's spring training opener, according to the Pirates' official Twitter account.
Impact Gonzalez's arrival at camp was delayed while he cleared all the proper protocols, but he has gotten enough work in to take the field in Pittsburgh's first exhibition contest. Gonzalez will man second base and hit seventh in the Pirates' batting order.
FEBRUARY 28, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Pirates 2B Frazier focusing on the present, not the future
Pittsburgh Pirates second baseman Adam Frazier says he's focusing on the present and not the futureFEBRUARY 22, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Not yet at camp Gonzalez's arrival at camp has been slightly delayed, Rob Biertempfel of The Athletic reports.
Impact Gonzalez is one of a handful of players around the league who faced minor delays as they returned to the country for spring training. He's still going through the intake process, though the Pirates expect him to be able to join the team by the end of the week.
FEBRUARY 22, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
NL Central teams at the start of spring training
A team-by-team look at the National League Central entering spring training, including key players each club acquired and lost, and dates of the first workout for pitchers and catc...FEBRUARY 11, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
White Sox, OF Engel agree to 1-year deal, avoid arbitration
The Chicago White Sox and outfielder Adam Engel have agreed to a $1.375 million, one-year contract to avoid arbitrationDECEMBER 30, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Pirates agree to deals with Taillon, Gonzalez and Feliz
The Pittsburgh Pirates have agreed to one-year deals with pitchers Jameson Taillon and Michael Feliz as well as shortstop Erik GonzalezDECEMBER 3, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Pirates sign Erik Gonzalez, Michael Feliz, Jameson Taillon, non-tender Clay Holmes As MLB’s non-tender deadline approached, there was speculation that the Pittsburgh Pirates could cut ties with Erik Gonzalez because he play...
DECEMBER 3, 2020 • TRIBLIVE.COM
Pirates tender Erik Gonzalez one-year contract worth $1.225 million One of the Pirates’ top non-tender candidates went off the board early, as the Pirates have reportedly agreed to a one-year, $1.225 million...
DECEMBER 2, 2020 • POST-GAZETTE.COM
Avoids arbitration with Pirates Gonzalez signed a one-year, $1.225 million contract with the Pirates on Wednesday, avoiding arbitration, Bob Nightengale of USA Today reports.
Impact Gonzalez appeared in 50 games for the Pirates in 2020, but he had a slow finish to the year, going just 1-for-24 with one RBI, one walk and nine strikeouts over his final seven contests. He'll avoid arbitration in his second year of eligibility, and the 29-year-old should serve as a utility infielder once again in 2021.
DECEMBER 2, 2020 • ROTOWIRE
Riding pine Thursday Gonzalez is not in Thursday's lineup against the Cubs.
Impact His bat has cooled off, as Gonzalez is hitting .137 with zero home runs and two steals over his last 15 games. JT Riddle will start at shortstop and bat eighth.
SEPTEMBER 24, 2020 • ROTOWIRE
Pirates host the Cubs after Brault's strong outing
Pittsburgh looks to follow up a dominant outing by Tuesday starter Steven BraultSEPTEMBER 23, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
