7 years agoControl was an issue for Pittsburgh Pirates closer Felipe Rivero throughout spring training, and the problem reared its ugly head again on Opening Day. Even with a comfortable 10-6 lead in a non-save situation, the left-hander couldn't get out of the ninth inning against the Detroit Tigers on Friday, allowing four runs on one hit and three walks while recording only two outs. The Pirates signed him to a four-year, $22 million extension in January and there are no obvious candidates to take his job at the moment, but the team has to be concerned over his command issues right now. His career walk rate is just 7.8 percent, so he figures to get everything straightened out at some point.--Matt Wilkes
Source: MLB.com