Switch-hitting Delwyn Young, acquired from the Los Angeles Dodgers in a trade for either two minor-leaguers to be named or cash considerations, isn't likely to get many starts -- the Pirates are set in the outfield with Nyjer Morgan, Nate McLouth and Brandon Moss as the starters and Craig Monroe in reserve. While Young figures to be mainly a pinch hitter, he will begin working out at second base and third base in an effort to increase his versatility. Young was a second baseman coming up through the Dodgers' farm system, and the Pirates think he has the arm strength to play third.
PLAYER NEWS: --SS Jack Wilson returned to the lineup after missing the previous two games because of a sprained left middle finger. He went 1-for-3 with a single and a walk. However, Wilson's 50-game errorless streak, dating to last season, ended in the seventh inning when he made a wild off-balance throw to first base in a failed attempt to double off Chipper Jones after making a diving catch of Matt Diaz's low liner.
--2B Freddy Sanchez had the only extra-base hit among the Pirates' seven hits Sunday with a third-inning double. He has 10 extra-base hits and entered Sunday tied for the National League lead in that category. After struggling to recover from shoulder surgery last season, Sanchez is again getting full extension in his swing, and that enables him to drive the ball.
--CF Nate McLouth's five-game hitting streak ended when he was 0-for-2 with a walk on Sunday. McLouth is hitting only .256 through 12 games but continues to work counts and show good plate discipline as he has a team-high nine walks.
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, didn't play April 17-18 and was back in the lineup April 19.
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/OF Eric Hinske
OUTFIELDERS:
LF Nyjer Morgan
CF Nate McLouth
RF Brandon Moss
OF Craig Monroe
OF Delwyn Young
