Stewart, Gorski Make Strong Impressions in Pirates First Spring Game

The Pittsburgh Pirates bested the Baltimore Orioles by a final tally of 10-5 in their first Grapefruit League game of the year in Sarasota.

Among the notable performers were a pair of first basemen who are trying to crack the roster and fill in for the injured Spencer Horwitz.

Non-roster invitee DJ Stewart drove in the first runs for the spring for the Pirates with a double to right field off Orioles starter Albert Suarez in the top of the first inning. Two frames later, Stewart connected on a solo homer to break a 2-2 tie.

The Pirates signed Stewart as a minor-league free agent after he spent last year with the New York Mets. In 74 games in 2024, Stewart slashed .177/.325/.297 with five homers. In 2023, Stewart slashed .244/.333/.506 with 11 home runs and 26 RBIs.

Another potential option for the Pirates to consider at first base in wake of Horwitz’s injury is minor-leaguer Matt Gorski. The 27-year-old belted 23 home runs and drove in 67 runs in 113 games with Triple-A Indianapolis last season. He continued to show off his power in his first at-bat of spring training with a homer to left field to put the Bucs ahead 5-3. But he wasn’t done there.

With one out in the top of the ninth, Gorski belted a grand slam to left field to break open the game in the Pirates’ favor.

Other Notable Pirates’ Performers

• Henry Davis: 1 for 2, one double, one walk, one run. Davis, who started the game at catcher also threw out a runner trying to steal second base
• Endy Rodríguez: 1 for 1, one double, one walk, two runs
• Nick Solak: 2 for 3, one run, one steal

The Pirates return to action on Sunday afternoon at LECOM Park against the Minnesota Twins.