The Pirates got one of their three injured regulars back Friday when center fielder Nate McLouth returned to the lineup after missing six games with a strained oblique muscle in his right side. Shortstop Jack Wilson, on the disabled list with a sprained left middle finger, is expected to return this upcoming Sunday. However, catcher Ryan Doumit won't be back until at least last July because of his broken right wrist.
PLAYER NEWS: --2B Freddy Sanchez suffered a slight hyperextension of his left shoulder in the first inning but stayed in the game and said he does not expect to miss any time because of the injury. Sanchez landed hard on the shoulder when he dove for a groundball in the top of the first inning. However, Sanchez stayed in the game after being examined by trainer Brad Henderson, then hit a home run in the bottom of the inning.
--INF Ramon Vazquez started at shortstop for the second consecutive game and third time in the last four in place of slumping SS Brian Bixler, who has struck out in 10 of 16 at bats since being recalled from Class AAA Indianapolis on April 26. Vazquez, who went 0-for-2 with a walk and a sacrifice fly, has stayed busy in the early part of the season, starting 12 of the first 26 games -- eight at shortstop, three at third base and one at second base.
--OF Delwyn Young's two-run single in the eighth inning accounted for the first RBIs by a Pirates pinch hitter this season. Young has gone 4-for-8 as a pinch hitter since the Pirates acquired him from the Los Angeles Dodgers in a trade April 17 but he has yet to start a game.
MEDICAL WATCH:
SS Jack Wilson (sprained left middle finger) went on the 15-day disabled list April 25. He is expected to begin a rehab assignment with Class AAA Indianapolis on May 9.
RHP Craig Hansen (neck spasms) went on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to April 20. He played catch May 3 for the first time since getting hurt.
C Ryan Doumit (broken bone in right wrist) went on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to April 20. He had surgery April 23, and he will be out eight to 10 weeks.
LHP Phil Dumatrait (arthroscopic right shoulder surgery in August 2008) went on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to March 27. He was pitching in extended spring training in mid-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 Evan Meek
RHP Jesse Chavez
LHP Donnie Veal
CATCHERS:
Jason Jaramillo
Robinzon Diaz
INFIELDERS:
1B Adam LaRoche
2B Freddy Sanchez
SS Brian Bixler
3B Andy LaRoche
INF/OF Eric Hinske
INF Ramon Vasquez
OUTFIELDERS:
LF Nyjer Morgan
CF Nate McLouth
RF Brandon Moss
OF Craig Monroe
OF Delwyn Young
