The Pittsburgh Pirates only made a select number of moves this offseason, which is why the signing of starting pitcher Andrew Heaney was notable.
The Pirates gave the veteran left-hander a one-year, $5.25 million deal in hopes he could bolster a young, star-studded starting rotation.
Heaney did not make a good first impression, though, in his spring training debut with the Pirates on Tuesday. Heaney got roughed up by the Boston Red Sox, allowing four runs on two hits to go along with three walks and one strikeout in 1 2/3 innings of work. Heaney was saddled with the loss in a 12-4 defeat.
The biggest issue for Heaney was his command, as he tossed only 22 of his 41 pitches for strikes.
“I feel good, physically,” Heaney said during a mid-game SportsNet Pittsburgh interview, as transcribed by the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review’s Justin Guerriero. “Honestly, just a little bit of nibbling around the zone. Need to be a little bit more through the zone. … Just need to get in there and throw some more strikes.”
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It wasn’t all bad for Heaney in his outing. He needed only 10 pitches to retire the Red Sox in order in the top of the first. But then the wheels feel off in the second with Heaney issuing a leadoff walk to begin the frame. He allowed back-to-back hits and another walk before getting two straight outs, but then he let up a bases-clearing triple to Abraham Toro to put an end to his day.
Heaney struggled with the Texas Rangers a season ago, posting a 5-14 record with a 4.28 ERA. He did have almost a strikeout per inning, though, as he fanned 159 batters in 160 innings. Heaney was much better in 2023, recording a career-high 10 wins with a 4.15 ERA.
The Pirates sure hope they can get the best version of Heaney this season while also leaning on him for veteran leadership.
Featured image via Kim Klement Neitzel/Imagn Images