Josh Bell
1B/DH WSH
Fri 1/10/20 1:13 PM

Bell agreed to a one-year, $4.8 million deal with the Pirates on Friday, avoiding arbitration, Bob Nightengale of USA Today reports.
EDGE Analysis
This is a pretty solid payday for a player's first year in the arbitration process, but it was well deserved after Bell hit 37 home runs in 143 games last year. He will be subject to the arbitration process again in 2021 and 2022 before he becomes a free agent.

Josh Bell
1B/DH WSH
Mon 12/16/19 2:38 PM

Bell (groin) is fully healthy and shouldn't have any restrictions in offseason training, Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.
EDGE Analysis
Bell had been putting together a career-best campaign in 2019 before a groin injury forced him to miss the second half of September. However, the team said Monday that he should be "full systems go" for his offseason training. The 27-year-old recorded a .936 OPS with 37 home runs and 116 RBI last season.

Josh Bell
1B/DH WSH
Wed 9/25/19 4:26 PM

Bell (groin) will not return this season, Nubyjas Wilborn of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.
EDGE Analysis
Bell was hoping to return before the end of the season, but the Pirates opted to play it safe and shut him down with just five games left and no chance at making the playoffs. The first baseman will be eligible for arbitration for the first time in 2020 after slashing .277/.367/.569 with career highs in doubles (37), home runs (37) and RBI (116).

Josh Bell
1B/DH WSH
Sun 9/22/19 11:55 PM

General manager Neil Huntington said during his Sunday radio show that there remains a chance that Bell (groin) returns before season's end, 93.7 The Fan in Pittsburgh reports.
EDGE Analysis
"He's making progress, it was going to be a multi-week injury anyway," Huntington said. "He's putting in the work. He wants to be healthy going into the offseason but ideally he'd like to finish the season healthy." Bell, who will be eligible for arbitration for the first time in 2020, has already set career highs in doubles (37), homers (37) and RBI (116).

Josh Bell
1B/DH WSH
Wed 9/18/19 6:19 PM

Bell (groin) will not be available for the rest of the Pirates' current series against the Mariners or their next series against the Brewers, but is still trying to make it back before the season ends, Nubyjas Wilborn of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.
EDGE Analysis
The Pirates don't have any incentive to rush Bell back from his injury, but it appears he is still hoping to make it back in order to end the season on a healthy note add to his career-best total of 116 RBI. Assuming Bell does not play against the Brewers as expected, his next chance to play will come Sept. 24 against the Cubs.

Josh Bell
1B/DH WSH
Wed 9/18/19 3:24 PM

Bell (groin) is not in the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Mariners.
EDGE Analysis
It was reported Sunday that Bell would likely be out several days because of his injury, and that has turned out to be true, as he has not taken the field since. It remains to be seen when he will be ready for action again; but until he does, Jose Osuna figures to continue serving as the Pirates' primary first baseman.

Josh Bell
1B/DH WSH
Tue 9/17/19 3:25 PM

Bell (groin) isn't in the starting lineup for Tuesday's game against the Mariners.
EDGE Analysis
Unsurprisingly, Bell will be held out again Tuesday after suffering a left groin injury Friday night. He's not expected to return to the starting lineup until Pittsburgh's series against Milwaukee at the earliest. Jose Osuna should see time at first base until Bell is cleared to return.

Josh Bell
1B/DH WSH
Sun 9/15/19 1:48 PM

General manager Neal Huntington said Sunday that it "wouldn't be surprising" to see Bell miss several days due his groin injury, Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.
EDGE Analysis
Speaking on his weekly radio show, Huntington said that Bell's injury was more than the day-to-day variety. Pittsburgh is off Monday before starting a three-game homestand against the Mariners, but Bell is probably trending toward a return no earlier than the team's weekend series in Milwaukee. The first baseman injured himself running from first base to second during Friday's loss to the Cubs.

Josh Bell
1B/DH WSH
Sun 9/15/19 11:14 AM

Bell (groin) is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Cubs.
EDGE Analysis
Bell will be withheld from the starting nine for the second straight contest after leaving Friday's game with left groin discomfort. Colin Moran will cover first base Sunday while Erik Gonzalez receives the start at the hot corner.

Josh Bell
1B/DH WSH
Sat 9/14/19 10:04 AM

Bell (groin) is not in Saturday's lineup against the Cubs.
EDGE Analysis
He exited Friday's game with left groin discomfort and the issue will keep him sidelined for at least one more game. Jose Osuna is starting at first base and hitting cleanup.