--RHP Jeff Karstens will make his first start of the season Friday when he faces the Reds in the opener of a three-game series in Cincinnati. Karstens won the fifth starter's job despite having a 6.17 ERA in exhibition games this spring.
--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.
