SPRING REPORT

LAKELAND, Fla. — It’s looking more and more like Derek Holland will begin the regular season as the Pirates’ fifth starter, the same sort of thing Jordan Lyles experienced a season ago.

Holland’s start against the Tigers in a loss Tuesday at Joker Marchant Stadium was something of a mixed bag. He struck out six and walked none, flashing pinpoint control at times.

But he also made three mistakes, all of which were hit over the fence.

The interesting part about Holland’s start was that it came an hour or so after Pirates director of sports medicine Todd Tomczyk confirmed that Steven Brault won’t be ready for the regular season because of a left shoulder muscle strain.

Which means that, almost by default, Holland will more than likely win the job, edging out Chad Kuhl.

On the mound

Chris Stratton struggled with his command the last time out but fared better Tuesday. He worked 11 ⁄ scoreless 3 before giving way to Robbie Erlin. Each notched a strikeout. Dovydas Neverauskas relieved Erlin in the eighth, walked the first batter he faced and gave up a double off the wall to Tigers shortstop Willi Castro.

At the plate

J.T. Riddle continues to impress. Starting at third base, Riddle went 2 for 3 with a run scored. His triple to start the fifth inning led to the Pirates’ only run — Riddle scoring on Socrates Brito’s bloop single to right — and it was Riddle’s third of the spring.

Other than that, it was pretty quiet. Cole Tucker, who had struck out just twice all spring before Tuesday, whiffed in his first two at-bats. Colin Moran entered the game with seven hits (four for extra bases) in his past six games, but went 0 for 3.

Jose Osuna singled to lead off the sixth inning and moved to second on a wild pitch. However, Riddle lined a twoout shot to first that C.J. Cron snared.

In the field

No errors or particularly difficult/spectacular plays for the Pirates. The most impressive thing might have been the synergy displayed between Holland and John Ryan Murphy.

Developing pitcher-catcher chemistry is not automatic, and Holland has been throwing a little to everyone thus far this spring.

“Great job by him gamecalling-wise and being able to mix up and down, in and out,” Holland said.

— Jason Mackey

Up next

Game: Pirates vs. Toronto Blue Jays, LECOM Park, Bradenton, Fla., 1:05 p.m. Wednesday. TV: AT&T SportsNet.