Root signs live streaming deal
LOS ANGELES — Good news awaited a portion of the Pirates fan base Monday.
As part of an agreement between Root Sports and MLB Advanced Media, games “will stream at no additional cost to authenticated pay TV subscribers” on MLB.com, Pirates.com and the MLB At Bat app, the Pirates announced.
DIRECTV and several other smaller distributors are included, though Comcast and Verizon are not.
The full list includes Consolidated Communications, Zito Media, Beaver Valley Cable, CAS Cable, Aurora by HTC, Citizens Fiber, Kuhn Communications, LHTC Broadband, QCOL, Windstream, Adams Cable Service, Armstrong, MetroCast, Service Electric Cablevision, Armstrong, MetroCast, Service Electric Cablevision, Service Electric Cable TV, Suddenlink and DIRECTV.
Streaming also will be available for Atlantic Broadband and Blue Ridge customers shortly.
Bench help
The Pirates attempted to bolster their bench Monday by promoting Chris Bostick and Max Moroff, a pair of hothitting utility players, from Class AAA Indianapolis to the majors. They joined the team for the series opener in Los Angeles, and Moroff made his first career start.
To make room, catcher Elias Diaz and infielder Phil Gosselin were optioned to Indianapolis. Both need regular at-bats, manager Clint Hurdle said. Gosselin, acquired from the Arizona Diamondbacks a few days before spring training began, batted .138 in 19 games for the Pirates.
“Sometimes in this game, at this level, you can lose your foothold,” Hurdle said. “I think that’s all that’s happened.”
For Bostick, 24, this is his first time in the majors. A super-utility player acquired from the Washington Nationals in September for minor league catcher Taylor Gushue and cash, Bostick hit .320 with a .841 OPS for the Indians.
Moroff, 23, had eight home runs and 17 RBIs in 24 games this season for Indianapolis and is batting .258.
“I’m just being a little more aggressive,” Moroff said, explaining his extra pop. “I’m looking for pitches in my zone and just trying to be on time for whatever pitch I’m looking for.”
Injury updates
Super-utility player Adam Frazier (hamstring) did not travel with the team to Los Angeles. He reported to Indianapolis to begin his rehab assignment. Third baseman David Freese (hamstring) will work out Tuesday at Dodger Stadium and be reassessed Wednesday.