Pirates Lose Prospect Cunningham for Season

Minor League infielder Jarek Cunningham, the Pirates' 18th round pick in last year's draft, will miss the entire 2009 season with a torn anterior cruciate ligament. Baseball America ranked Cunningham as the 13th best prospect in the Pirates' system, though that's like saying Money Talks is the third best Brett Ratner movie. It is a tough loss for the organization even though he's still a few years away from Pittsburgh, best case. When I saw the headline (Pirates Prospect to Miss All of 2009) I panicked, fearing Jose Tabata was the prospect. So, all things considered, reading it was Cunningham was a bit of a relief.

Speaking of Tabata (right shoulder), he could return to action early this week, though probably as a DH initially.

And, things are looking up for Brandon Moss (thumb) as his injury may only be a bruise. But he's flying back to Pittsburgh to see a hand specialist Monday and more information will follow, I'm sure.

In game news, the Pirates defeated Houston today, 11-4. Ross Ohlendorf pitched into the 4th and allowed 1 earned run on 6 hits. Donnie Veal ran into his first trouble of the Spring in the 5th, as he walked 4, threw a wild pitch and balked. Control was, and still is, the primary concern with him. Hopefully he can bounce back from this poor outing and give the Bucs' management some more to think about. Anyway, after Veal allowed 2 runs in the 5th to give the Astros the lead, his team responded with 4 scoreless innings by the pitching staff and 8 more runs by the offense. Freddy Sanchez, Craig Monroe and Garrett Jones all homered and the hit-machine himself, Andy LaRoche, went 2 for 2, with 2 walks and a HBP. His Spring average is up to an even .600 as LaRoche tries to make us all forget about last summer.

On Monday, the Pirates take on the Red Sox, and try to improve upon their 8-3 Spring record.