"If it was keeping me from doing anything, I wouldn't be out there," LaRoche said, grunting as he raised a foot on the locker stool to adjust his uniform pants. "I just have to keep after it. I get treatment, get rubbed down ..."

LaRoche missed a week in spring, including the opening of Grapefruit League play, because of back spasms that flared from the protruding disk he first felt two years ago with the Los Angeles Dodgers. He admitted at the time he had failed to follow his offseason exercise regimen for the back, but he now does so diligently.

As for his struggles ...

"I'm feeling good up there. It's just not going the way I want. Whether it's hit hard or soft, it's right at them. It'll even out. Last year was something where I was switching up my stance and trying to do too much. Now, I'm still relaxed, feeling good, just not hitting them where they aren't."

Manager John Russell, without mentioning LaRoche's back, expressed confidence.

"We're not panicking. We're not losing trust or faith," Russell said. "We just want Andy to continue to work through it, and we're fortunate to have people on our bench who can spell guys. If that's a couple days here or there, that's what we'll do."

Wilson home again

Few could have imagined shortstop Jack Wilson would have his number and name called yesterday, given how his previous game at PNC Park went, with the crowd spontaneously standing and roaring in September for what it thought would be his final at-bat in Pittsburgh.

But there he was yesterday before the 7-0 victory against Houston, hearing the loudest introductory cheer.

"It's unexpected, but I'm happy to be here. Definitely happy," Wilson said. "I'm excited to be out there again and hear them say, 'No. 2, Jack Wilson' over the PA system. It's special to me, being here this long, wearing the same uniform. It really is."

McLouth fine after collision

Nate McLouth rammed hard into the center-field fence on Miguel Tejada's first-inning double and stayed down for a few minutes before remaining in the game to go 1 for 4.

"No big deal," McLouth said. "Just got the wind knocked out of me."

Morris, Barthmaier out

The Pirates updated the health of minor league pitchers Bryan Morris and Jimmy Barthmaier, and each will miss extensive time: Morris' right shoulder injury, diagnosed as having significantly restricted range of motion, will keep him out four to six weeks. Barthmaier's right elbow injury, diagnosed as a strained flexor mass, will keep him out a month.

Morris, one of the system's top pitching prospects and part of the Jason Bay trade, had been part of Class A Lynchburg's rotation. Barthmaier, a member of the 40-man roster, was in Class AAA Indianapolis' rotation. Yoslan Herrera was promoted from Class AA Altoona to take Barthmaier's place.

Buried treasure

* The Penguins' appearance in the Stanley Cup playoffs has forced four changes in the Pirates' television schedule: The games tomorrow, Friday and Tuesday have been removed, and the afternoon game Thursday has been added.

* Jeff Karstens pitched a simulated game after the game and remains slated to make his season debut Thursday.

* Guy Buzzelli Jr. was recognized posthumously with the Pride of the Pirates award after years of service to the Pirates Gold Club sales team. He died in February at age 46 after being diagnosed early in life with muscular dystrophy. "Guy was an incredible inspiration," team president Frank Coonelly said.