Spring Training: Daily Notebook And Video ClipsUPDATED: 8:14 pm EST April 2, 2005 The Pirates are in spring training in Bradenton, Fla. This notebook will be updated daily with game recaps and news from camp.
 Full 25-Man RosterJosh Fogg tossed five scoreless innings and the Bucs beat the Twins, 4-0, in their final exhibition game before Opening Day.Full StoryThe Bucs are leaving Bradenton for Pittsburgh and are scheduled to work out at PNC Park on Sunday.Friday: Jack Wilson homered and the Pirates overcame a four-run deficit to beat the Twins, 5-4. Mark Redman had another rough outing, giving up four runs and eight hits -- including two homers -- in five innings. Full StoryOutfielder Ben Grieve was released. He failed to make the opening day roster and declined a chance to go to Triple-A Indianapolis.Thursday:In Sarasota, the Pirates beat the Reds, 6-4. Kip Wells allowed one hit and one run over five innings.Outfielder Tike Redman was the No. 3 batter in the lineup. The left-handed Redman doesn't slug many home runs, but he is hitting above .300 this spring and usually puts the ball in play. Manager Lloyd McClendon said he wants players with high batting averages and on-base percentages near the top of the order because the Pirates need to score more runs.
Full StoryTuesday:Dave Williams yielded five earned runs on 10 hits in six innings, and the Pirates lost to the Blue Jays, 11-5. Full StoryOutfielder Chris Duffy and catcher Ryan Doumit were told that they will be sent to Triple-A Indianapolis after the Pirates determine that Daryle Ward and Jason Bay are ready to play. Ward is resting an injured oblique muscle, and Bay hurt his wrist diving for a fly ball earlier this month.Monday:Reliever Mike Johnston was sent to Triple-A Indianapolis. He has been out since March 11 with a blister on his left middle finger.Craig Wilson homered twice and had three RBI in a 6-4 win over the Devil Rays. Ty Wigginton hit his team-leading sixth home run. Full StorySunday:Mark Redman was rocked for six earned runs on 10 hits in four innings of an 8-7 loss to the Red Sox. Freddy Sanchez had two hits, including a home run, and three RBI. Full StoryTike Redman has beaten out Rob Mackowiak to keep the starting job in center field. Redman led off last year but had a low on-base percentage, so he is expected to bat sixth this season. Right fielder Matt Lawton will be the new leadoff man.Redman's defense was a concern going into spring training, but manager Lloyd McClendon said "everyone (on the coaching staff) agrees we've seen some improvement."Mackowiak figures to start about three times a week because he can play all outfield positions and third and first bases.The plan at catcher is to start Benito Santiago in about 100 games. Backup Humberto Cota will start the rest of the time, especially when Oliver Perez pitches, because they worked well together last season. The plan is subject to change, based on matchups and who's hot at the plate, according to McClendon.March 26:Lefty Dave Williams has won the fifth and final spot in the starting rotation. The other two contenders were Ryan Vogelsong, who will go to the bullpen, and rookie Zach Duke, who will go to Triple-A Indianapolis. Duke performed the best out of the three, but general manager Dave Littlefield told PittsburghPirates.com that the 21-year-old, who has never pitched above Double-A, needs more experience in the minor leagues.First baseman Graham Koonce and infielder Edwards Guzman were reassigned to minor league camp.The Pirates beat the Phillies, 9-7. Kip Wells gave up two earned runs on eight hits in four innings. The Bucs hit four homers, including two by Humberto Cota. Full StoryMarch 25:In St. Petersburg, the Pirates beat the Devil Rays 6-2. Oliver Perez allowed just one run on three hits in five innings. Full StoryFirst baseman Daryle Ward is out with an injured oblique muscle. It's unclear when he'll return to the lineup.March 24:Hammond Stadium, Fort Myers: Minnesota Twins 6, Pirates 5 (Final) March 23:A sellout crowd saw Josh Foog serve up three homers in an 8-6 loss to Cleveland. Benito Santiago, Ty Wigginton and Jose Castillo hit home runs. Full StoryRight-hander Albie Lopez was released. The 33-year-old was effective in three games, but hadn't pitched since March 11 because of a calf injury, and manager Lloyd McClendon said he was no longer in the running for the rotation.Outfielder Jason Bay took about 15 or 20 soft-toss swings and about 50 practice swings. He hasn't played since March 8, when he bruised a wristbone diving for a fly ball.March 22:Mark Redman gave up five runs on eight hits over five innings in a 15-2 loss to Detroit. The Bucs' only runs came on homers by Ryan Doumit and Graham Koonce. "You're going to have those type of games," manager Lloyd McClendon said. "You have to work harder as you wind down spring training. It's something you never want to see." Full StoryThe No. 5 starter's competition appears to be down to a pair of left-handers: Dave Williams and rookie Zach Duke. Righty Ryan Vogelsong will likely begin the season as a reliever.Three relievers -- Mark Corey, Joe Roa and Rick White -- appear to be competing for the final job in the bullpen.March 21:In Dunedin, the Blue Jays beat the Pirates, 6-5. Starter Kip Wells gave up two runs on three hits in two innings of work. Tike Redman went 3-for-5 with two RBI. Full StoryMarch 20: Craig Wilson hit a three-run home run as Pittsburgh defeated Boston, 5-3. Oliver Perez allowed three runs on three hits and a walk, but got the win. Full StoryRight-handed pitchers Bobby Bradley and Ian Snell and third baseman Jose Bautista were optioned to Triple-A Indianapolis.Reassigned to minor league camp were pitchers Brian Mallette, Justin Reid and Jeremy Harts; infielders Howie Clark, Cesar Crespo, Jose Leon and Jorge Velandia; catcher Paul Chiaffredo; and outfielder Jon Nunnally.March 19:In Tampa, Ryan Doumit hit a two-run homer in the top of the ninth inning to give the Pirates a 5-3 victory over the Yankees. Ty Wigginton and Craig Wilson also homered for the Pirates. Full StoryMarch 18:Josh Fogg and Mark Redman each pitched effectively in an intrasquad game with the Phillies. Fogg allowed six hits and one unearned run over five innings, and Redman gave up five hits and one run in four innings, throwing 61 pitches.Closer Jose Mesa faced three batters, striking out two.Setup man Salomon Torres pitched three scoreless innings, giving up two hits. March 17:A sold-out home game against the Braves was rained out.Outfielder Tike Redman expects to play Friday against the Phillies. He has been out since Monday with a hyperextended right elbow.Manager Lloyd McClendon said Redman is still in competition with Rob Mackowiak for a starting job. Mackowiak is hitting .577, and Redman's average is .500. March 16:Rob Mackowiak homered twice in a 9-4 win over the Yankees. Matt Lawton and Ty Wigginton also hit home runs. Full StoryOutfielder Tike Redman missed his second consecutive game with a sore elbow that he hurt when being struck by a pickoff throw. He could return Thursday.Albie Lopez was supposed to pitch, but did not because of a sore calf. He is expected to have at least one sideline session before he throw again in a game.March 15:Rick White started out with the Pirates in 1990, when he was their 15th-round draft pick. Now, the 36-year-old wants to come back and finish his career with them. Manager Lloyd McClendon says White still has a good arm and will get every opportunity to make the team as a reliever. March 14:In Tampa, the Yankees beat the Pirates in a night game, 5-2. Dave Williams gave up four runs in the first inning. Full StoryTodd Ritchie says he will end his comeback attempt and retire. The 33-year-old right-hander was 0-1 with a 5.40 ERA in three appearances this spring. He won 15 games for the Pirates in 1999 and was their opening day starter in 2001.Infielder Bobby Hill has five hits in 14 at-bats, including a pinch-hit home run. The 26-year-old has excelled as a pinch-hitting specialist and hopes it will lead to a larger role with the team.March 13:In Clearwater, Josh Fogg allowed seven runs on seven hits in three innings and was the losing pitcher in Philadelphia's 9-7 win over the Pirates. Ty Wigginton and Jose Castillo homered for Pittsburgh. Full StoryMore cuts were made, bringing the roster down to 48 players.March 12:Four Pirates homered, including Daryle Ward, who went 3-for-4 with five RBI, in a 15-12 home win over Cincinnati. Brian Bullington picked up the win in relief of Todd Ritchie. Full StoryMarch 11:In Winter Haven, Oliver Perez returned from a bout with shoulder stiffness and gave up four runs in one inning of work against Cleveland. Despite being hit hard, the lefty said his arm feels good. Cleveland went on to win, 16-4. Full StoryMarch 10:Outfielder Jason Bay, who bruised a wrist bone diving for a fly ball yesterday, will miss at least a week of spring training games.In Kissimmee, the Pirates beat Atlanta, 1-0. Ryan Doumit's ninth-inning double scored Cesar Crespo from third base. Kip Wells and Dave Williams each pitched three scoreless innings. Full StoryMarch 9:Catcher J.R. House, once considered the Pirates' top prospect, was released after showing up for medical treatment on his injured right shoulder. Full StoryFirst-round draft picks Neil Walker and Paul Maholm were reassigned to minor league camp.Walker, a 19-year-old catcher from Pine-Richland High, was taken 11th overall last year. Maholm, a 22-year-old left-hander, was a first-round pick in 2003.Carlos Maldonado, a non-roster catcher, was also reassigned. Copyright 2006 by ThePittsburghChannel. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report. |
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