The Pirates will begin their pursuit of some inglorious history this season. 

--RHP Jesse Chavez won the final spot on the roster basically by default because RHP Even Meek has not pitched since March 20, first because of a tired shoulder and then bronchitis. 

The Pirates have had a rather uneventful spring when it comes to roster moves, with no major injuries that require disabled-list stints or players who have come out of nowhere to make the Opening Day roster. 

--RHP Jesse Chavez won the final spot on the roster basically by default because RHP Even Meek has not pitched since March 20, first because of a tired shoulder and then bronchitis. 

The Pirates will begin their pursuit of some inglorious history this season. 

Zach Duke pitched five shutout innings for Pittsburgh and Minnesota's Kevin Slowey also did well in his final spring start as the Pirates and Twins played to a 4-4 tie in 10 innings on Friday. 

--RHP Jeff Karstens edged RHP Virgil Vasquez for the last spot in the rotation. 

The Pirates have had a rather uneventful spring when it comes to roster moves, with no major injuries that require disabled-list stints or players who have come out of nowhere to make the Opening Day roster. 

The Pirates will begin their pursuit of some inglorious history this season. 

It started with boos from a sparse crowd and ended on a run set up by a balk. 

It started with boos from a sparse crowd and ended on a run set up by a balk. 

It started with boos from a sparse crowd and ended on a run set up by a balk. 

It started with boos from a sparse crowd and ended on a run set up by a balk. 

Virgil Vasquez struggled for a Pirates split squad of minor leaguers in a 6-4 loss to Manatee Community College on Thursday, just days after he was beaten out for a spot in Pittsburgh's rotation. 

The Pirates have had a rather uneventful spring when it comes to roster moves, with no major injuries that require disabled-list stints or players who have come out of nowhere to make the Opening Day roster.