Pittsburgh Pirates

The 13-9 Pittsburgh Pirates have gotten off to a solid start in 2016 and are fresh off a 98-win campaign. The coaching staff was rewarded for its efforts on Friday. 

The team announced on its Twitter page that the entire staff received contract extensions through the 2017 season:

Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder Andrew McCutchen broke out of his slump in a big way Tuesday night, recording the second three-homer game of his career in a 9-4 win over the Colorado Rockies, per MLB Stat of the Day.

Andrew McCutchen went into the Pittsburgh Pirates' latest contest as the worst hitter in their everyday lineup. Clearly, what he needed was a slump-buster.

Or three.

Bare-handing a home run ball is hard enough, let alone pulling it off with an infant in one arm.

One Pittsburgh Pirates fan performed this incredible feat during the Pirates' 8-7 win over the Arizona Diamondbacks on Friday night, snagging a Welington Castillo homer over the hands of clamoring home fans.

The Pittsburgh Pirates announced Sunday infielder Jung Ho Kang will begin his rehab assignment with the team's Triple-A affiliate, and it is uncertain when he will be able to return to action.  

Continue for updates.

Veteran pitcher Justin Masterson agreed to a minor league deal with the Pittsburgh Pirates on Thursday, Jon Heyman of MLB Network reported. Adam Berry of MLB.com later confirmed the news.  

With the Pittsburgh Pirates facing stiff competition in the loaded National League Central, an injury to star pitcher Francisco Liriano's hamstring will be a cause for concern. 

Continue for updates. 

Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder Gregory Polanco will reportedly be with the team for years to come.

There's just one way to explain Andrew McCutchen "only" finishing fifth in the National League MVP voting in 2015. The guy just had an off year. Sad, but true.

But from the looks of things, 2015 is about to be ancient history.

David Freese is taking his hitting prowess to a new home, as the veteran third baseman signed with Pittsburgh Pirates on Friday.

The Pirates announced Freese's signing on Twitter:

Rob Biertempfel of the Tribune-Review reported it's a one-year deal for $3 million.