--RF Brandon Moss returned to action March 20 in an exhibition game against Boston, 13 days after suffering a badly bruised left thumb while trying to make a diving catch in a game against Minnesota. Moss said he had no soreness or stiffness in his thumb and that he should be ready to play on opening day.

--RHP Ian Snell returned to the team after pitching twice for Puerto Rico in the World Baseball Classic. Snell is expected to start March 22 against Cincinnati in an exhibition, which would put him in line to start the second game of the regular season after LHP Paul Maholm starts the opener.

--INF/OF Andy Phillips rated a decent chance to make the club when spring training began and has gone 7-for-15 (.467) with two doubles. However, the veteran has not played since March 7 because of a lower back strain, and his opportunity of winning a bench job appears to be slipping away.

--3B Pedro Alvarez, the Pirates' first-round pick last year from Vanderbilt and the most accomplished hitter selected by the Pirates since all-time home run king Barry Bonds in 1985, was optioned to Class A Lynchburg. Alvarez made a strong impression in his first spring training, going 8-for-18 (.444) with three doubles and a home run, which came in his final at-bat. It was a mammoth three-run shot to dead center field off veteran Tampa Bay RHP Joe Nelson.

BY THE NUMBERS: .500 -- C Robinzon Diaz's spring batting average through March 20. The rookie was 11-for-22 with four doubles, one triple and one home run.

QUOTE TO NOTE: "It was awesome, the experience of a lifetime. I can only hope to experience something like that again in the playoffs or World Series some day." -- RHP Ian Snell, on pitching in the World Baseball Classic.