Struggling Pirates fire hitting coach Eckstein
The last-place Pittsburgh Pirates have fired hitting coach Rick Eckstein.
The team made the announcement on Monday. The Pirates, who are in the early stages of a reboot under general manager Ben Cherington, have struggled to produce offense all season.
Pittsburgh entered Monday last in the majors in runs scored, home runs, slugging percentage and onbase plus slugging. The Pirates are also 27th in the majors in batting average and are on their way to a third straight last-place finish in the NL Central.
“Making the decision now gives us the opportunity to use the rest of the season to focus on improvements in our hitting program while also starting the process of looking for a replacement,” Cherington said in a statement. “We wish Rick all the best moving forward.”
Former general manager Neal Huntington hired Eckstein, the brother of former major league second baseman David Eckstein, in November 2018.
The Pirates have overhauled their coaching staff since Eckstein joined the organization. The front office has been focused on stockpiling prospects, many of whom are still several years away from reaching the majors, leaving Eckstein little to work with.
CLEVELAND CATCHER RAMOS TO UNDERGO KNEE SURGERY >> Cleveland catcher Wilson Ramos will require season-ending surgery for torn ligaments in his left knee, the team said Monday.
Ramos tore his ACL and MCL in the seventh inning of Cleveland’s win over the Boston Red Sox on Sunday. He fielded a weak hit in front of the plate and was throwing to second base when his left knee buckled and he crumpled to the infield grass.
BOSTON’S PEREZ POSITIVE FOR COVID-19 >> Boston left-hander Martín Perez has become the latest Red Sox player to test positive for COVID-19.
Red Sox manager Alex Cora made the announcement before Monday night’s game at Tampa Bay.
Infielder-outfielder Kiké Hernández and infielder Christian Arroyo both tested positive last week and were placed on the COVID-19 injured list on Friday.
Cora said Hernández and Arroyo are both feeling OK.
Pérez is 7-8 with a 4.88 ERA in 31 games this season, including 22 starts.
MARLINS PROSPECT EDER UNDERGOES SURGERY >> Miami Marlins pitching prospect Jake Eder is scheduled to undergo reconstructive elbow surgery and might be sidelined until 2023.