Pirates Spring Preview: Marco Gonzales to Make Team Debut vs. Braves

Marco Gonzales will make his first start with the Pittsburgh Pirates when they take on the Atlanta Braves at LECOM Park on Tuesday afternoon at 1:05 ET.

The Pirates (0-3) acquired Gonzales from the Braves (1-2) in the offseason shortly after the Seattle Mariners sent him to Atlanta as part of a larger package.

A season-ending injury to his pitching arm limited Gonzales to 10 starts with Seattle last season. He finished the year 4-1 with a 5.22 ERA. From 2018-22, Gonzales went 56-45 with 3.94 ERA across 131 starts.

In terms of the lineup, the Pirates will deploy a handful of regulars, including another look at Oneil Cruz at short.

Pittsburgh Pirates Lineup

1. Oneil Cruz SS
2. Bryan Reynolds LF
3. Ke’Bryan Hayes 3B
4. Yasmani Grandal C
5. Connor Joe DH
6. Edward Olivares RF
7. Rowdy Tellez 1B
8. Jack Suwinski CF
9. Liover Peguero 2B

The Pirates will face veteran left-hander Chris Sale, who is making his Braves’ debut. Atlanta acquired Sale from the Boston Red Sox this winter in exchange for infielder Vaughn Grissom. Sale made 20 starts with Boston last season and finished the year 6-5 with a 4.30 ERA and 125 strikeouts in 102.2 innings pitched.

The game will broadcast on 100.1FM/AM 1020 KDKA.

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