--RHP Jesse Chavez won the final spot on the roster basically by default because RHP Even Meek has not pitched since March 20, first because of a tired shoulder and then bronchitis. Meek was optioned to Class AAA Indianapolis to rebuild his arm strength while Chavez went north with the club despite compiling an 11.45 ERA in 11 innings this spring as he allowed 15 runs, 14 earned, and 18 hits.
--RHP Jeff Karstens won the fifth starter's job over RHP Virgil Vasquez despite having a poor spring -- he had a 6.17 ERA in 23 1/3 innings, giving up 17 runs, 16 earned, and 30 hits. Vasquez was optioned to Indianapolis after he had a 7.62 ERA, allowing 11 runs in 13 innings. --OF Craig Monroe was the only non-roster invitee to make the Opening Day roster; his contract was selected from Indianapolis. Monroe leads the Pirates with seven home runs this spring while going 20-for-68 (.294) with five doubles. He was released by Minnesota last August after hitting .202 with eight homers.
--LHP Phil Dumatrait was placed on the 15-day disabled list because he is still recovering from arthroscopic shoulder surgery performed last August. Dumatrait, who pitched in a minor-league game for the first time this spring March 27, will stay behind in extended spring training.
--LHP Paul Maholm, to the surprise of no one, was tabbed to be the Opening Day starting pitcher, April 6 at St. Louis. Maholm led the Pirates in wins last season when he went 9-9 with a 3.71 ERA in 31 starts and had a 1.52 ERA this spring, allowing four runs and 16 hits in 23 2/3 innings.
BY THE NUMBERS: 17-14 -- The Pirates' record in exhibition play, giving them their first winning spring since 2003. Their last winning regular season was in 1992.
QUOTE TO NOTE: "Normally, I'd say the record doesn't matter, but we haven't won in a long time and I think it helps to have won some games down here and establish a winning attitude." -- Pirates pitcher Zach Duke.
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