After trading away Freddy Sanchez in July, the Pirates were left with no strong internal replacements at second base. With Iwamura in tow, the Pirates now have their immediate answer. Delwyn Young got his chance to be the team's everyday second baseman for the final two months, but even after intensive daily defensive work with infield coach Perry Hill, Young was not seen as the optimal choice for next season. Iwamura was limited to only 69 games in '09 and needed left knee surgery to repair a partially torn ACL. Huntington said that the Pirates have not independently examined Iwamura's knee, but that all the medical reports suggest that there will be no lingering issues. His departure from Tampa Bay enables Ben Zobrist or Reid Brignac to move to second base on a full-time basis.

Iwamura has played the past three seasons with the Rays after nine years in Japan. The 30-year-old batted .290 with 19 extra-base hits and 22 RBIs in 69 games in '09, a season shortened by a left knee injury. Iwamura, a six-time Gold Glove winner and five-time All-Star in Japan, signed a three-year deal with Tampa Bay on Dec. 15, 2006, that included a club option for '10. The Rays were expected to decline that option, so they opted to move Iwamura and add the 26-year-old Chavez, who is coming off his first full Major League season. Chavez led the Pirates with 73 appearances while posting a 4.01 ERA and a 47/22 K/BB ratio in 67 1/3 innings.

Few players produced more bang for your buck than Zobrist, who fought for a bench spot in Spring Training before emerging as one of fantasy's top middle infielders once Akinori Iwamura went down, leading the field of second basemen in on-base and slugging percentage . Zobrist finished the year in right field, but figures to man second base regularly next year with Iwamura eligible for free agency. Another option is to leave Zobrist in right and let Willy Aybar and Reid Brignac battle for playing time at second.

The start came one day after Brignac busted out with a homer and two doubles in a 4-for-4 night. With Jason Bartlett at shortstop, the rookie infielder started at second base Tuesday, which is where he may wind up if the Rays decide to retain Bartlett. Regular second baseman Akinori Iwamura was given the night off.

Upton had trouble chasing down fly balls in center field Sept. 9, and Rays manager Joe Maddon indicated the injury could sideline him through the weekend. "Ankle was bothering him once again, so we got him out of there," Maddon said Sept. 9. "Looks like we're going to have to rest him for a bit." Ben Zobrist filled in as the center fielder in his place, with Akinori Iwamura manning second base.

Manager Joe Maddon held Iwamura out of Thursday's lineup due to a tinge of soreness in Iwamura's left knee, the same one he spent a few months on the DL with after tearing it May 24. Iwamura ended up coming into the game during the fifth inning at second base, replacing Ben Zobrist, who took over center field after B.J. Upton sprained his left ankle. Maddon expressed his concern that Iwamura is coming off knee surgery and will need to be managed accordingly. Expect him back in the lineup Saturday.

Upton was examined by a team doctor, who determined that Upton had suffered a left-ankle sprain. X-rays were negative and Upton is listed as day-to-day. Ben Zobrist moved from second base to center field and Akinori Iwamura came in to play second base and hit in Upton's ninth spot in the order.

Rays manager Joe Maddon reiterated, however, Zobrist will stay in the lineup every day no matter where he plays defensively. That likely means additional playing time for Zobrist in right field and less for Gabe Gross and Gabe Kapler.

Iwamura, who had been sidelined since late May with a torn ACL in his left knee that required surgery, popped one out in his second game back. The long ball marked his first jack in the regular season since last September. The third-year second baseman, who is batting .311 with 22 runs in 46 games, is a worthy play for owners in all formats looking to add a bat up the middle.

Iwamura figures to get time at second base as he returns from a torn left knee suffered on May 24. He was hitting .310 with 16 RBIs and eight steals in 44 games at the time, so Iwamura can easily become a targeted player in mixed formats if he gets enough playing time. Considering Ben Zobrist, Iwamura's fill-in at second base, isn't likely to be removed from the lineup anytime soon, Iwamura could get time at second while Zobrist is moved to right field or as a DH on days in which Pat Burrell is out of the lineup.

Iwamura is 4-for-12 with an RBI and five runs scored in five games for the Bulls, putting him on track to return in the next couple of weeks.

The Rays called it a precautionary move, but he did not play on Wednesday, either. With Ben Zobrist firmly installed as the club's second baseman, there is little point rushing Iwamura back early.

Iwamura reported no pain after running and hitting on Tuesday. He’ll play some second and DH at Triple-A Durham for about two weeks, then be reevaluated. If all goes well, it’s possible he’ll be ready to return to the big leagues by Sept. 1.

He's made significant progress since hurting his knee May 24. Iwamura took grounders for the first time on July 28 to a successful review and manager Joe Maddon appears optimistic that he'll get his second baseman soon enough. "I watched him take batting practice and he looked great," Maddon said. "We're getting close to [a rehab assignment]. I don't know exactly but he looks pretty good." Owners angling for late-season middle infield help should keep their eyes on Iwamura.

There is still no timetable as to when Iwamura can begin a Minor League rehab stint, and a large, bulky brace remains on his knee. If Iwamura returns as early as expected, in mid-to -late August, there's been no decision yet about what his role will be. Ben Zobrist has emerged as an All-Star second baseman in his absence.