From Mirror, wire reports
BRADENTON, Fla. — Diego Castillo homered for the third time in two days, and the fourth time in the last four games, thanks to a solo shot in the sixth inning in Pittsburgh’s 4-4 tie with Baltimore in Grapefruit League action Thursday.
Starter Zach Thompson pitched four scoreless innings, while relievers Chris Stratton and David Bednar each tossed a scoreless inning in relief. However, the bullpen did give up four runs in the sixth inning.
Bryan Reynolds also homered for the Pirates (5-5-3), who have 29 home runs this spring.
Pittsburgh hosts the Blue Jays today at 1:05 p.m. Jose Quintana is slated to start for Pittsburgh.
In other news, the Pirates acquired infielder Josh VanMeter from the Arizona Diamondbacks in exchange for minor league pitcher Listher Sosa.
The 27-year-old VanMeter played in a career-high 112 games last season with the Diamondbacks, where he hit .212 (58-for-274) with 17 doubles, two triples, six home runs and 36 RBI. VanMeter went 18-for-54 (.333) with runners in scoring postion, led the Diamondbacks with 33 pinch-hit at-bats, and had 25 of his 58 hits (43.1 percent) go for extra bases.
He also made 52 appearances (46 starts) at second base, 25 appearances (19 starts) at third base and one appearance apiece at first base, left field and right field.
VanMeter also played in 19 games with Triple-A Reno in 2021, hitting .388 (26-for-67) with six doubles, nine home runs and 20 RBI.
To make room for VanMeter on the 40-man roster, outfielder Jared Oliva has been designated for assignment.
Free agent
VENICE, Fla. — Veteran Brock Holt ended his bid to win a bench spot with the Atlanta Braves on Thursday when he requested and was granted his release.
Holt, 33, signed with Atlanta on a minor league deal and was invited to the major league camp. He was competing with versatile veteran Phil Gosselin and Pat Valaika for a utility position.
Holt hit .209 with two homers and 23 RBIs in 76 games with Texas in 2021. He made his major league debut with Pittsburgh in 2012 before playing seven seasons with the Boston Red Sox.
Holt played every infield and outfield position with the Red Sox but was primarily a third baseman with the Rangers. He has a .262 career batting average in 10 seasons.
