PITTSBURGH -- Pirates general manager Neal Huntington and manager Clint Hurdle have not yet had their contract options for 2018 picked up, but a report Saturday night suggested that Pittsburgh's organizational architect and on-field leader will be back next season and beyond.
Huntington and Hurdle are expected to sign contract extensions at some point before the end of the season, MLB Network insider Ken Rosenthal reported for FOX Sports. Both men are under guaranteed contracts through the end of this year with club options for the '18 season.
The club has not picked up either option, prompting some speculation that Huntington or Hurdle may be on the hot seat amid the Bucs' disappointing 27-35 start. But that does not appear to be the case.
The report falls in line with previous comments by Pirates officials. Club president Frank Coonelly told MLB.com in February the Pirates would address their future with Huntington and Hurdle "at the appropriate time."
"We're looking for them to be Pirates for a very long time," Coonelly said this spring. "The great thing is they want to be Buccos, and we want them to be Buccos. As long as they're passionate about continuing to be Buccos, I think we're going to have a long-term relationship."
Chairman Bob Nutting said in February that contract extensions for Huntington and Hurdle were not a "top-of-mind" issue but expressed his appreciation for the work both have done in Pittsburgh.
"Neal and Clint are both really strong, really good. I love working with them. I'm very comfortable with them," Nutting said during his Spring Training stop by the club's Pirate City complex. "I think they're very comfortable with us and the organization. … It's not an issue at this point. But they are tremendous talents who I love."
Huntington has been the Pirates' GM since September 2007, and Hurdle has been in the manager's seat since November 2010. When asked about their contracts in Spring Training, both Huntington and Hurdle downplayed the issue.
"I'm taking care of today," Hurdle said in February. "I like where I'm at. I love the organization. I'm humbled to get the opportunity to do it. It'll get figured out."

Around the horn
• Catcher Francisco Cervelli, on the seven-day concussion disabled list, took part in throwing drills with head athletic trainer Todd Tomczyk at PNC Park on Sunday morning. Cervelli was shut down from baseball activities from Wednesday through Friday. He is eligible to return this Wednesday, but it is unclear if he will be ready to do so.
• Catcher Chris Stewart, on the 10-day disabled list with a left hamstring strain, has been participating in all baseball activities except baserunning. Stewart was eligible to come off the DL on Friday.
• Hurdle said right fielder Gregory Polanco, batting just .156 in June before a day off Sunday, is still showing some unnecessary length in his swing. Polanco's path to pitches is not the issue, but he is not getting the barrel to the ball.
• On his weekly radio show with Pirates broadcaster Greg Brown, Huntington said the Pirates hope recently demoted starter Tyler Glasnow will benefit from the lessons he learned in the Majors this season, but they are not projecting a return date for the former top prospect.
"We are not going to put a timeframe on Tyler Glasnow and be disappointed if he doesn't come back sooner than that or be excited if he comes back earlier than that," Huntington said. "Our measurement of Tyler Glasnow will be based on his ability to apply these hard lessons learned at the Major League level … and be in a position to come back and help us win games."