--LHP Tom Gorzelanny, who had a disappointing 2008 season and was struggling this spring, was optioned to Class AAA Indianapolis. Gorzelanny had allowed seven runs in nine innings of Grapefruit League action. RHP Virgil Vasquez, claimed off waivers from San Diego in late January, and RHP Jeff Karstens, acquired from the Yankees last summer, are the new front-runners for the Pirates' No. 5 starting job.
--RF Brandon Moss suffered a badly bruised and mildly sprained right thumb while attempting to make a diving catch in a March 7 exhibition game against Minnesota. While Moss is out indefinitely, doctors are confident he will be ready to play in the April 6 opener at St. Louis. Moss originally feared he had torn ligament in the thumb, an injury that would have required surgery and forced him to miss eight to 10 weeks. --LHP Phil Dumatrait suffered another setback in his recovery from last August's arthroscopic shoulder surgery and almost certainly will begin the season on the disabled list. Dumatrait is not expected to be able to pitch in any exhibition games this spring, meaning he will likely remain in extended spring training to build up arm strength.
--INF/OF Eric Hinske, expected to be a key reserve, had yet to play since the second game of the exhibition season because of a bruised left ribcage. However, he had begun swinging off a tee and throwing, which means he should return to action sometime early in the week of March 16-22.
--RHP Romulo Sanchez was the first player on the 40-man roster to be sent to the minor leagues as he was optioned to Class AAA Indianapolis after pitching just 1 2/3 innings in exhibition games. The Pirates were unhappy that Sanchez reported out of shape and also wanted him to go to minor league camp to work out mechanical problems with delivery.
--LHP Daniel Haigwood, C Miguel Perez and INF Pedro Lopez were reassigned to minor league camp. The three had been signed to minor league contracts as free agents during the offseason.
BY THE NUMBERS: 3 -- Home runs non-roster OF Craig Monroe hit against Minnesota, which released him last August, in an exhibition game on March 12. That raised Monroe's total to a major league-leading six.
QUOTE TO NOTE: "You never go into a game expecting to hit three home runs. I don't know what to say other than I'm feeling really good at the plate right now." -- OF Craig Monroe, after hitting three homers in a March 12 game against the Twins.
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