The Pirates have lost 22-year old righty swinging outfielder Gorkys Hernandez for the rest of the season due to a fractured right ring finger. Hernandez played in 92 games in AA-ball this year and he was 98 of 368 (.266 avg, .668 OPS) with 45 runs scored, 2 homers, 26 RBIs and 17 stolen bases. The Pirates were probably going to call up Hernandez when rosters expanded in September but his injury will prevent that from happening.

24-year old lefty reliever Danny Moskos came into this season as the Pirates’ #30 prospect according to Baseball America. But he is pitching much better than that ranking and he could be pitching for the Pirates soon, especially if they trade Javier Lopez. Moskos has pitched in 38 games (0 starts) in AA+AAA-ball this year and he is 2-2 with 17 saves, a 1.55 ERA and a 1.13 WHIP. Moskos has only allowed 31 hits in 40 2/3 innings this year while whiffing 40 batters showing what kind of stuff he has. Look for Moskos to get his first shot with the Pirates in September (when rosters expand) at the latest.

21-year old righty starting pitcher Tim Alderson came into this season as the Pirates’ #7 prospect. He came over to the Pirates in the trade sending Freddy Sanchez to the Giants last summer. Alderson has started 16 games in AA-ball so far this season and he is 7-4 with a 4.63 ERA and a 1.42 WHIP. He has now pitched in 70 games (69 starts) in his four years in the minors and he is 30-11 with a 3.59 ERA and a 1.23 WHIP. He has only walked 87 batters in 371 1/3 innings in the minors showing pinpoint control. If Alderson starts pitching a little bit better he could be on the Pirates’ pitching staff sometime late in the 2010 season.

22-year old righty swinging catcher Tony Sanchez suffered a broken jaw when he was hit in the face with a pitch. He’s having surgery today and he could miss the remainder of the season. Sanchez was the Pirates’ #3 prospect heading into this season according to Baseball America. Sanchez has played in 59 games in A-ball this year and he is 65 of 207 (.314 avg, .870 OPS) with 31 runs scored, 4 homers and 35 RBIs. He has now played in 107 games in his two years in the minors and he is 120 of 385 (.312 avg, .906 OPS) with 64 runs scored, 11 homers and 83 RBIs. Hopefully this injury doesn’t scar Sanchez as the Pirates have plans for him in the near future.

25-year old righty starting pitcher Brad Lincoln came into this season as the Pirates’ #4 prospect according to Baseball America. Lincoln has started 10 games in AAA-ball this year and he is 5-2 with a 3.47 ERA and a 1.01 WHIP. He has only given up 50 hits in 62 1/3 innings in AAA ball this year. He also has good control whiffing 49 batters while only walking 13 in 62 1/3 innings in AAA. With the shambles that is the Pirates’ starting rotation they have absolutely nothing to lose by calling up Lincoln and giving him a chance to show what he can do.