The Pirates aren’t ready to audible their third-base plans. Though rookie Jose Osuna — a first baseman by trade and a corner outfielder by necessity — has trained at third base with infield coach Joey Cora since the All-Star break and seems to be progressing smoothly at that position, the intent remains to acclimate the 24-year-old Osuna slowly to the hot corner.
“It’s a long-term vision,” manager Clint Hurdle said Thursday, reiterating what he said in mid-July when Osuna started taking ground balls at third base. “If something were to change during the year, it would change during the year.