--INF Brian Bixler, who struggled offensively last year in his first taste of the major leagues, was optioned to Class AAA Indianapolis. Bixler hit .345 this spring after batting .157 in 108 big-league at-bats in 2008.

--C Robinzon Diaz, who hit .423 this spring, and OF Steve Pearce, who batted .212, were optioned to Class AAA Indianapolis on March 28. Diaz lost the backup catcher's job to Jason Jaramillo, while Craig Monroe and Eric Hinske won the reserve outfield jobs.

--LHP Paul Maholm has not been officially announced as the Opening Day starter, but he had his turn in the rotation lined up so he can pitch April 6 at St. Louis. Maholm has had an outstanding spring, allowing one run and 10 hits in 19 2/3 innings for a 0.46 ERA while walking one and striking out 12.

--RHP Ross Ohlendorf all but sealed the fourth starter's job behind LHP Paul Maholm, RHP Ian Snell and LHP Zach Duke after pitching six shutout innings against Atlanta on March 24. Ohlendorf lowered his spring ERA to 0.59 (one earned run in 15 1/3 innings).

--OF Jose Tabata, one of the Pirates' top prospects, was cleared by police of any wrongdoing after his wife, Amalia Tabata Pereria, who is 43 and 23 years her husband's senior, was arrested for allegedly abducting a child in Plant City, Fla. Tabata Pereira was being held in the Hillsborough County Jail on $775,000 bond, and police said here husband was cooperating fully with authorities.

BY THE NUMBERS: 28 -- Home runs the Pirates had hit going into play on March 27, the second most in the Grapefruit League behind Boston's 35.

QUOTE TO NOTE: "I don't think we're going to be a big home run-hitting team. We're going to have get on base, put the ball in play and try to make things happen on the bases." -- Pirates manager John Russell, realizing spring training statistics rarely translate into the regular season.