--SS Jack Wilson returned to the starting lineup Thursday and went 0-for-3 with a walk and a sacrifice bunt after being limited to a pinch-hitting appearance the night before because of a strained left middle finger. Wilson suffered the injury in Monday's home opener when he swung and missed at a pitch so badly that his bat flew up against the backstop.

--2B Freddy Sanchez is normally a free swinger, as his .298 on-base percentage last season attests. Yet, he showed a willingness to work a deep count Thursday as he battled Astros reliever Chris Sampson for 17 pitches in the seventh inning before finally flying out to center field.

--LF Nyjer Morgan continues to answer the questions about whether he is capable of being a major league leadoff hitter. He went 3-for-5 with a double and a triple and is hitting .400 with a .429 on-base percentage through nine games.

MEDICAL WATCH:

SS Jack Wilson (strained left middle finger) was scratched from the lineup April 15, although he pinch-hit. He returned to the lineup on April 16.

LHP Phil Dumatrait (arthroscopic right shoulder surgery in August 2008) went on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to March 27. He could be ready to join the Pirates rotation by the end of April.

ROTATION:

LHP Paul Maholm

RHP Ian Snell

LHP Zach Duke

RHP Ross Ohlendorf

RHP Jeff Karstens

BULLPEN:

RHP Matt Capps (closer)

LHP John Grabow

RHP Tyler Yates

LHP Sean Burnett

RHP Craig Hansen

RHP Jesse Chavez

LHP Donnie Veal

CATCHERS:

Ryan Doumit

Jason Jaramillo

INFIELDERS:

1B Adam LaRoche

2B Freddy Sanchez

SS Jack Wilson

3B Andy LaRoche

INF Ramon Vasquez

INF Luis Cruz

INF/OF Eric Hinske

OUTFIELDERS:

LF Nyjer Morgan

CF Nate McLouth

RF Brandon Moss

OF Craig Monroe