Pittsburg, PA

Steelers Nearly Moved Another Lineman to Wrong Position

Published

1 year ago

September 2, 2024

Steelers Nearly Moved Another Lineman to Wrong Position

PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Steelers are dealing with some big-time injuries on the offensive line, and are a little thin heading into Week 1. With Nate Herbig on Injured Reserve with a shoulder injury, and Isaac Seumalo set to miss multiple weeks with a pectoral strain, the team is looking at a few backups and younger players to step up early.

With Zach Frazier, that’s no worry. The second-round rookie is already viewed as the future of the position, and even if Herbig was the starter during training camp, chances were that Frazier was taking over at some point during the season.

As for Seumalo, his backups are fourth-round rookie Mason McCormick and second-year seventh-round pick Spencer Anderson. Anderson is the favorite to start during Seumalo’s absence, but the Steelers almost made another lineman move they could’ve regretted.

According to Pittsburgh Post-Gazette’s Gerry Dulac, the Steelers were considering moving first-round rookie Troy Fautanu from right tackle o left guard if Seumalo was to miss the entire season.

“If Seumalo’s injury required surgery and caused him to miss the entire season, it is likely the Steelers would have moved Fautanu to guard. But, in the short term, they do not have plans to do that,” Dulac writes.

This would’ve been another move in a series of line shifts that the Steelers would be taking a risk with. They’re currently dealing with the struggles of Broderick Jones, who was moved from left tackle to right tackle, and have already moved on from names like Kendrick Green and Kevin Dotson, who have both found success at their natural positions after having the play somewhere unfamilair in Pittsburgh.

The team won’t make the move, but it wouldn’t have some with much praise if they did. After seeing players leave and return to their successful form, and with all the questions surrounding Jones and his development, head coach Mike Tomlin would’ve been in hot water from the fanbase if he decided to move the rookie first-round pick as well.

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Pittsburg, PA

Oneil Cruz Powers Pirates Past Astros

Published

42 minutes ago

February 28, 2026

Press Room

PITTSBURGH — Oneil Cruz needs to have a great season for the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2026 and his strong Spring Training continued in their most recent victory.

Cruz hit a three-run home run off of Houston Astros right-handed pitcher Jayden Murray in the top of the fifth inning, playing a big role in the 5-2 victory at CACTI Park of the Palm Beaches in West Palm Beach, Fla.

He waited on a changeup on the second pitch, 85.1 mph over the middle of the plate and sent it 106.4 mph off the bat and 368 feet, scoring both left fielder Billy Cook and third baseman Alika Williams with two outs.

That marks the first home run for Cruz in the Grapefruit League, who has had a great Spring Training so far, slashing .538/.600/.846 for an OPS of 1.446 in five games, with seven hits in 13 at-bats.

Pittsburgh got the win after the top of the sixth inning, after a rain delay ended the game.

Pirates Rookie Pitchers Have Up-And-Down Showing vs. Astros

Right-handed pitcher Braxton Ashcraft made his second start for the Pirates in the Grapefruit League and dominated vs. the Astros.

Sep 15, 2025; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Braxton Ashcraft (67) delivers a pitch against the Chicago Cubs during the first inning at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images | Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images

Ashcraft threw three scoreless innings, allowing just one hit and a walk, while posting two strikeouts for Pittsburgh.

Former Pirates pitcher, right-handed starter Mike Burrows, countered Ashcraft for the Astros. He threw three scoreless innings himself, allowed one hit and a walk and posted four strikeouts.

The Pirates traded Burrows to the Houston Astros in the three-team trade with the Tampa Bay Rays on Dec. 19, that landed them second baseman Brandon Lowe, outfielder Jake Mangum and left-handed relief pitcher Mason Montgomery.

Right-handed pitcher Bubba Chandler made his second appearance for the Pirates in the Grapefruit League and threw two innings.

Chandler immediately loaded the bases, walking both third baseman Carlos Correa and first baseman Christian Walker, then giving up a single to center fielder Cam Smith.

He came back and struckout right fielder Taylor Trammell and got left fielder Zach Dezenzo to pop out, but gave up a single to second baseman Brice Matthews and a run to the Astros, before ending the inning with a strikeout.

Chandler also gave up a solo home run to Astros third baseman Isaac Paredes, on a slider down in the zone.

He finished his outing with three hits, three walks and two earned runs allowed over 1.1 innings pitched, before left-handed pitcher Derek Diamond got the last two outs of the inning.

Chandler struggled in his first Spring Training start vs. the New York Yankees at LECOM Park in Bradenton on Feb. 23, where he allowed four earned runs over 1.2 innings of work.

Feb 23, 2026; Bradenton, Florida, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Bubba Chandler (36) throws a pitch during the second inning against the New York Yankees at LECOM Park. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images | Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images

The Pirates will need better showings from Chandler, who should serve as a key piece of their starting rotation in 2026.

Other Important Notes from Pirates Victory

The Pirates added two runs in the top of the sixth inning, as Cook hit a single that scored second baseman Nick Yorke and then Williams singled, scoring Cook to make it a 5-2 ball game.

Cook had just one hit in eight at-bats coming into this game and scored twice in the victory, as he walked before the Cruz home run.

Designated hitter Marcell Ozuna led the Pirates with two hits, a good sign for them, as they’ll rely on him greatly for his power and hitting in 2026.

The Pirates are now 7-2 in the Grapefruit League and tied with the Yankees for the top of the standings.

Make sure to visit Pirates OnSI for the latest news, updates, interviews and insight on the Pittsburgh Pirates!

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