6 Anthony Alford CF

Alford (wrist) recently returned to action for Triple-A Indianapolis, starting games Tuesday and Wednesday while going 4-for-10 with a solo home run.

Dating back to June 24, Alford has appeared in just four games with Indianapolis while managing a wrist injury and then experiencing a setback shortly after returning to action earlier this month. His latest absence lasted about two weeks, but his ability to start in back-to-back games implies that he's healthy again. After being designated for assignment earlier this season, Alford no longer possesses a spot on the 40-man roster, which could hurt his chances of receiving a promotion back to Pittsburgh.

Alford suffered a wrist injury during Thursday's game with Triple-A Indianapolis, Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

Alford was involved in a collision Thursday and was tested for a concussion after the game. However, he appears to have avoided a serious injury and is considered day-to-day due to his wrist issue.

Alford was designated for assignment by the Pirates on Wednesday.

Alford saw inconsistent playing time early in the season and hit .083 with two runs and 16 strikeouts in 24 at-bats to begin the year. He'll now be cast off the 40-man roster to make room for Ka'ai Tom, who was claimed off waivers in a corresponding move.

Alford delivered a pinch-hit single in Thursday's 8-3 loss to San Diego, Jake Crouse of mlb.com reports.

The outfielder is 1-for-20 with 15 strikeouts. General manager Ben Cherington stressed patience with Alford. "We've got young players out there who are getting a chance to play at the Major League level for the first time with any level of consistency," Cherington said. "There's an adjustment period."

Alford went 0-for-4 with four strikeouts in an 8-2 win over the Cubs on Saturday.

He's hitless in 15 at-bats with three walks and 12 strikeouts. Fowler and fellow center fielder Dustin Fowler have struggled so mightily that there's a chance the team could shift Bryan Reynolds from left to center and put hot-hitting Phillip Evans into the outfield mix. Alford has slumped offensively since the first week of spring training, and it remains to be seen how much time he'll be given to turn things around.

Alford is out of the lineup for Thursday's game against the Cubs.

Alford will be on the bench for the Pirates' third straight matchup with a right-handed starting pitcher, signaling that he's fallen behind Dustin Fowler in the pecking order for playing time in center field. The 26-year-old has gone hitless in his first 11 at-bats of the season.

Alford is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Reds, Kevin Gorman of TribLive.com reports.

Alford and Dustin Fowler have now alternated starts in center field through the Pirates' first six games of the season. The two have combined for only two hits in 19 at-bats, so expect the duo to continue to split playing time until one runs away with the everyday role.

Alford is not in the lineup Monday against the Reds.

Alford has started the season 0-for-7 with five strikeouts, though he's at least reached base three times via walks. Dustin Fowler gets the nod in center field Monday.

Alford is not in Saturday's lineup against the Cubs, Kevin Gorman of TribLive.com reports.

Dustin Fowler will get his first start of the season in center field against righty Jake Arrieta. Alford and Fowler may have a fairly even playing time split in center field early this season.

Alford will start in center field and bat eighth Thursday against the Cubs.

The reward for beating out Dustin Fowler, Brian Goodwin and Jared Oliva in spring training is a chance to face Kyle Hendricks at Wrigley Field. The 26-year-old hit .250 in 36 at-bats with two homers and two stolen bases in Grapefruit League action. His 3:14 BB:K throws up a caution flag, and it will be interesting to see whether he can maintain a decent batting average -- he's hit .265 in the minors -- in order for fantasy owners to take advantage of his power and speed.

Alford is expected to open the season as the Pirates' primary center fielder after the team reassigned Brian Goodwin to minor-league camp Monday, Rob Biertempfel of The Athletic reports.

Dustin Fowler is also expected to make the Pirates' Opening Day roster and lingers as a potential threat to poach playing time in center field, but Alford is in the driver's seat at the position after slashing .281/.343/.874 with two home runs and one stolen base across 32 at-bats during the Grapefruit League. Alford's body of work over a slightly larger sample of regular-season action in the majors is less impressive (.529 OPS in 88 plate appearances), but his ability to steal bases and his status as a projected everyday player should make him worthy of rostering in NL-only leagues.

Alford (wrist) is in the lineup for Wednesday's spring game against the Rays.

Alford missed a few days after taking a pitch off his wrist Saturday, but he got in a full workout Tuesday and is ready to get back on the field. He will start in center field Wednesday, and depending how the Pirates align their outfield, he could do the same on Opening Day.

Alford (wrist) was able to complete a full workout Tuesday, Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

Alford looks like he should soon be ready to rejoin the Pirates' Grapefruit League lineup. He exited a game against the Yankees last weekend after being struck on the wrist by a pitch. The 26-year-old is vying for a spot on the Pirates' Opening Day roster as a backup outfielder.

Alford (wrist) swung a bat Sunday and Monday, Kevin Gorman of TribLive.com reports.

Alford was hit by a pitch Saturday, but the fact that he's already able to do some baseball activities seemingly bodes well for his recovery. He's pushing for a roster spot this spring or even a starting role and has been stating his case quite well, going 5-for-13 with a pair of homers.

General manager Ben Cherington is hopeful the team "dodged a bullet" in regards to the wrist injury Alford suffered Saturday, Alex Stumpf of DKPittsburghSports.com reports.

Speaking during Sunday's television broadcast, Cherington sounded positive that Alford will be okay. "Looks like a contusion, he's sore today but no signs of anything more than a contusion," the general manager said. "We'll just let that calm down and hopefully he feels better the next couple days and gets back in there." Alford has five hits, including two homers, in 13 Grapefruit League at-bats. Brian Goodwin and Dustin Fowler will continue to see action in center field with Alford out.

Alford exited Saturday's spring game against the Yankees with right wrist discomfort, Alex Stumpf of DKPittsburghSports.com reports.

Alford left the game in the top of the fourth inning after being hit by a pitch, and the team has initially diagnosed him with wrist discomfort. He'll be further examined by the Pirates' medical staff, and a better idea of the severity of the injury could be known once he's spent some time with the team doctors.

Alford exited Saturday's spring game against the Yankees in the top of the fourth inning after being hit by a pitch on his right arm, Alex Stumpf of DKPittsburghSports.com reports.

Alford struck out in his first at-bat Saturday but was hit by a Corey Kluber pitch during his second plate appearance. The nature and severity of his injury aren't yet known, and it's unclear whether the 26-year-old will miss additional time due to the injury.

Alford went 2-for-3 with a double, a home run and two RBI against Baltimore on Thursday.

He also scored on a wild pitch with an aggressive display of baserunning and made a diving grab in left-center field. Alford's best day in the Grapefruit League came at an opportune time, as he is battling Brian Goodwin, Jared Oliva and Dustin Fowler for a starting job. After Thursday's performance, the 26-year-old could be in the driver's seat.

Alford went 2-for-2 with a walk and an RBI against Atlanta on Tuesday.

Recovering from an elbow injury, Alford played center field for just the second time this spring. He's competing for the starter's job in center and is out of options. Brian Goodwin can be optioned to Triple-A, while the recently acquired Dustin Fowler is also out of options. Alford looked good for four games last season before fracturing his right elbow. If he's healthy, there's a good chance he'll at least break camp with the team.

Alford (elbow) said his injury continues to improve even though he served as the team's designated hitter Monday against Toronto, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

He threw long toss up to 150 feet Monday and said his arm "felt just as good as it did before" the injury. Alford is presumably competing against Brian Goodwin for the starting job in center field. Both players are out of options. Alford homered against his former organization in Monday's game.