BRADENTON, Fla. (AP) - The Pittsburgh Pirates' underperforming bullpen is forcing general manager Neal Huntington to look outside the organization as the season gets closer.
With two weeks of spring training remaining, Huntington said Sunday that only closer Matt Capps, left-hander John Grabow and right-hander Tyler Yates are set for opening day in what figures to be a seven-man bullpen.The Pirates added Yates when he didn't make the Braves' season-opening roster in late March a year ago, and Huntington is looking for another such pitcher who doesn't fit one team's plans but might be an upgrade in Pittsburgh. The general manager also isn't ruling out making a trade.
"We'll explore external options, and maybe we'll come across another Tyler Yates," Huntington said. "If not, we need some guys to step forward."
The bullpen has had control problems all spring training, notably right-hander Craig Hansen, who was picked up from Boston in the Jason Bay trade in July. Hansen retired the first two batters in the ninth inning Saturday against Cincinnati, only to create a jam for himself by walking the bases full before getting the final out.
Control was Hansen's major issue last season, and he skipped winter ball so he could work with his former college pitching coach at St. John's. After an encouraging start this spring, Hansen is laboring to throw strikes, with 11 strikeouts and 10 walks in 9 1-3 innings.
Despite those problems, the Pirates may have no option but to keep Hansen and left-hander Donnie Veal when the season starts. Hansen is out of minor league options and could be claimed by another team if the Pirates tried to demote him, and Veal is a winter-meeting draft pick who must stay with the Pirates all season or be offered back to the Cubs.
"There are guys that pitched their way into the lead at times and guys who have pitched their way out," Huntington said. "We may be into a situation where the business side again rears its ugly head and we have to take into consideration roster status."
Right-hander Evan Meek, a winter-meeting pick last season, will sit out this week because of shoulder fatigue, which may significantly hurt his chances of being ready for opening day. Backup infielder Andy Phillips (back) also may be shut down until next weekend, possibly putting him out of the running for the remaining infielder's job.
"Nothing's sore, nothing's pained," Huntington said of Meek. "It's not feeling completely right."
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