The Pittsburgh Pirates pulled off a dramatic Grapefruit League comeback at George M. Steinbrenner Field. They rallied from a 3-0 deficit to defeat the New York Yankees 5-3.
The game had a little bit of everything. Konnor Griffin flashed his speed on a two-run double, and Jose Urquidy delivered an efficient but swing-and-miss-light outing.
Pirates fans got a peek at roster decisions and possible breakout players as camps inch toward crunch time.
Pirates rally to edge Yankees in Grapefruit League
The Pirates erased the early deficit with a late surge. Konnor Griffin’s two-run double tied the game, and he added an eye-catching eight-second slide into second base—exactly the kind of speed Pittsburgh hopes to lean on this spring.
Giancarlo Stanton and Paul DeJong homered off starter Jose Urquidy, but Pittsburgh answered with enough offense to seal a 5-3 win.
Urquidy worked 3⅔ innings on 36 pitches. The Pirates had planned a longer, more evaluative look at him, though he didn’t record a strikeout and allowed three earned runs.
He mixed efficient outs with the two home runs and finished his planned 55-pitch session with 20 bullpen throws. Afterward, Urquidy said he felt good and hopes a rotation opportunity is coming, even as his family keeps house-hunting in Pittsburgh.
Urquidy’s spring start: efficiency vs swing-and-miss
The outing highlighted a trade-off. Urquidy can eat innings and keep a game within reach, which matters for a potential fifth starter, but the lack of whiffs raises questions about his ceiling in a bigger role.
Those 3â…” innings on a measured number of pitches show the kind of control teams crave during camp. Still, evaluators will want to see more swings-and-misses next time out.
He finished with 20 bullpen throws, stretching out in case a rotation spot opens up. His family’s presence in Pittsburgh adds a personal subplot to his spring story.
- Urquidy’s line: 3â…” innings, 36 pitches, 3 earned runs
- Two homers by Stanton and DeJong off him
- Clear message: efficiency matters, upside may hinge on swing-and-miss
- Family ties to Pittsburgh add a personal subplot to his spring
Depth, defense, and the rehab narrative shaping the Pirates’ spring
The Pirates spread three of their four 40-man catchers across the lineup. Henry Davis started at catcher, Rafael Flores played first base, and Endy Rodriguez served as the designated hitter.
Rodriguez homered off Yankees starter Max Fried on an inside two-strike slider. He framed his spring as a rehab-like process, saying his body and throwing arm feel improved after some time away.
Davis extended a famous at-bat by drawing 11 pitches and fouling off seven balls before Duke Ellis made a running catch. Davis still has no hits this spring.
The way the Pirates used the trio shows a willingness to explore versatile defensive and offensive alignments as they sort through roster decisions.
Rodriguez’s rehab vibe and Davis’s at-bat drama
Rodriguez’s comments about a rehab-era spring reflect a broader narrative for the Pirates. This is a week-by-week process to regain strength and timing, and there are real signs of progress.
The club’s handling of catchers—Davis, Flores, and Rodriguez—shows they’re ready to rotate top-tier talent through multiple roles. They’re still figuring out how much prep time each player needs.
Davis’s marathon at-bat, even without a hit, reminds you just how fierce the competition is and how much attention every at-bat gets in these early games.
Look ahead: WBC watch and next-step scheduling
In the clubhouse, the Pirates kept an eye on Paul Skenes and other World Baseball Classic performances. They’re already thinking about the next steps.
Pittsburgh faces the Baltimore Orioles on Wednesday. Non-roster right-hander Noah Davis gets the start.
The upcoming matchup is another shot to see how the rotation depth and bullpen are shaping up. Coaches want to see how a few bubble players handle the pressure, too.
As spring winds down, the Pirates will lean on a mix of veterans and younger guys. Back-to-back tuneups and a few more acclimation periods are coming up fast.
Here is the source article for this story: 3 takeaways: Endy Rodriguez, Konnor Griffin lead Pirates to win against Yankees
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