Pittsburgh Pirates Notes, Quotes 2009-04-09
--Class AAA Indianapolis 2B Shelby Ford, one of the Pirates' top prospects, will not be on the active roster when the Indians' season begins Thursday because of swelling in his wrist. Ford jammed his wrist while diving for a groundball in an exhibition game against Toronto on March 11.
--1B Adam LaRoche and 3B Andy LaRoche batted fifth and sixth in the order Monday to become the first set of brothers to hit back-to-back in the Pirates lineup since Hall of Famers Lloyd and Paul Waner batted first and second for a majority of the 1938 season. The LaRoches were split up in the order Tuesday night, though, as Eric Hinske batted sixth while Andy LaRoche was dropped to No. 7. --OF Craig Monroe was the only non-roster player to make the opening-day roster after leading the club with eight home runs and 16 RBIs in exhibition play. Monroe's eight homers were the most by a Pirates' player in spring training since Craig Wilson hit eight in 2005. Monroe figures to be the Pirates' top right-handed pinch hitter and spell LF Nyjer Morgan against tough left-handed starters.
BY THE NUMBERS: .202 -- OF Craig Monroe's batting average when he was released by Minnesota last August.
QUOTE TO NOTE: "It was a very satisfying spring. I worked very hard last offseason to give myself a chance to get back to the major leagues. I really believed I still had something left and I proved it to both myself and the Pirates." -- OF Craig Monroe.
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Added: April 9, 2009