--INF/OF Doug Mientkiewicz signed a minor league contract with the Dodgers, turning down a similar offer to remain with the Pirates. Mientkiewicz, 34, hit .277 with two home runs and 30 RBIs in 125 games for Pittsburgh last season while playing the corner infield and outfield positions. However, his chances of making the Opening Day roster this year would have been slim after the Pirates signed a similar player, INF/OF Eric Hinske, as a free agent.
--INF/OF Eric Hinske suffered a bruised left ribcage when he crashed into the outfield wall while trying to catch a fly ball in the exhibition opener against Philadelphia on Feb. 25. The injury was not expected to keep him out of action long. --INF Luis Cruz was sidelined at the start of the exhibition season by a strained left hip flexor. However, the rookie was expected to return to action in plenty of time to try to win the second utility infielder's spot behind INF Ramon Vazquez.
--LHP Dave Davidson, RHP Ian Snell and INF Ramon Vazquez will all leave left camp March 1 in order to participate in the World Baseball Classic. Davidson will play for Canada, while Snell and Vazquez are on Puerto Rico's roster. Bullpen coach Luis Dorante will serve on Venezuela's staff.
--INF Andy Phillips, in camp as a non-roster player, said he expects to cleared of any wrongdoing after a police report was filed against him in late December by adult film actress Demi Delia in New York. Delia claimed Phillips impersonated Cleveland RHP Carl Pavano and Philadelphia INF Greg Dobbs in e-mails while setting up a romantic tryst. Phillips said he does not know Delia and that investigators from Major League Baseball have determined that someone was impersonating him.
BY THE NUMBERS: 50 -- Seasons broadcaster Steve Blass has been in the Pirates' organization. He signed his first professional contract in 1960 and pitched in the major leagues with them from 1964-74 before working in community relations and eventually joining the broadcast team.
QUOTE TO NOTE: "They have a solid plan in place now, emulating some of the other small-market franchises that have been successful, and that's something that wasn't always the case when I was there. It's going to take some time before it comes together, but I really think they'll turn the corner in the next couple of years." -- Boston LF Jason Bay on if he thinks the Pirates, the team he played for from 2003-08, will snap their streak of 16 consecutive losing season anytime soon.
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