Wild Things bring back McDonnell

The Wild Things re-signed a key member of their starting rotation Thursday, but also lost two pitchers who would have provided much-needed versatility and experience in the bullpen.

Mesa wins Pirates' closer job
BRADENTON, Fla. - The Pirates made official Thursday what has been known almost since spring training started: Jose Mesa is their closer.

Bucs still have a few tough calls
BRADENTON, Fla. - For a team that supposedly isn't very good, the Pirates certainly are taking a long time to choose their opening-day roster.

DALE LOLLEY: Another season, another poorly planned rebuilding phase for Pirates
You have to hand it to baseball fans in Pittsburgh. The Cubs and Red Sox fans get all of the ink for being a long-suffering lot. But at least their teams are fairly competitive year-in and year-out.