--INF Luis Cruz has good memories of Great American Ball Park -- he singled off Reds right-hander Aaron Harang for his first major league hit last Sept. 2. Cruz, a rookie, is clearly the 25th man on the roster and figures to see little playing time. INF Ramon Vazquez will get almost all of the starts when 2B Freddy Sanchez, SS Jack Wilson or Andy LaRoche doesn't play.
--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.
