--LHP Donnie Veal, a rookie Rule 5 draft pick with control problems, has not pitched since April 19. However, manager John Russell said Veal has been able to stay sharp by throwing in the bullpen with pitching coach Joe Kerrigan before games.
--SS Jack Wilson swung a bat for the first time since going on the disabled list April 25 and said he felt no pain. Wilson, who has been out with a sprained left middle finger, is expected to be activated when eligible Sunday. --RHP Craig Hansen played catch Sunday, the first time he has thrown since going on the disabled list, retroactive to April 20, with neck spasms. There is no timetable yet for when he will be activated.
--C Ryan Doumit will have the stitches removed from his broken right wrist Wednesday. Doumit underwent surgery on the wrist April 24 and is likely out until the end of June.
BY THE NUMBERS: 9/13 -- RHP Jeff Karstens' ugly strikeout/walk ratio through four starts and 20 innings this season.
QUOTE TO NOTE: "It seemed like we went a week without scoring, and I'm sure our pitchers felt like they had to throw a shutout to have any chance to win." -- INF Ramon Vazquez, after the Pirates broke a 22-inning scoreless string May 2 that included being shut out in back-to-back games.
