The Pirates have announced the hiring of former Astros executive Sarah Gelles as an assistant general manager. Gelles has been Houston’s director of research and development for the last five seasons. She has a history in Pittsburgh. She was a Pirates intern in 2009. She’s worked for the MLB commissioner’s office and was in the Orioles front office from 2011 through 2018. Gelles will be the third assistant GM on Ben Cherington’s staff, joining Kevan Graves and Steve Sanders.
Pirates pitcher Thomas Hatch has decided to sign with the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters and play in Japan next season. He made twelve appearances with the Bucs after being claimed off waivers from the Blue Jays in August.
And the Pirates have announced new starting times for games next season. Responding to season ticket holder suggestions, the Bucs will start evening home games at 6:40 PM, except for Saturdays before the All-Star break, when first pitch will come at 4:05. After the All-Star break, Saturday games will start at 6:40.
The August 17th game against Seattle will start at 1:05 PM to avoid a possible conflict with a Steelers’ preseason home game. There will also be twelve midweek day games starting at 12:35.
The home schedule starts against the Orioles on April 5th at 4:12 PM. Single game tickets for the upcoming season go on sale today.
