NewsAfter Bucs' trades, left field up for grabs
Pittsburgh (36-41) vs. Chicago (36-38), 7:05 p.m. ET
By Jenifer Langosch / MLB.com
07/01/09 12:12 AM ET
PITTSBURGH -- So now that the dust has settled from Tuesday's two trades, there's another looming question. Who will be in left field? In short, there is no one answer. And as the Pirates conclude a three-game series with the Cubs on Wednesday, it could essentially be one of four players. Outfielder Garrett Jones arrived in Pittsburgh on Tuesday after Eric Hinske's departure. And though the Pirates haven't made it official, yet, Jeff Salazar will join the club on Wednesday to fill the roster spot that had belonged to Nyjer Morgan. Both would be immediate options to step into left field. There's also Brandon Moss, who stepped in there on Tuesday and had a critical putout, and Delwyn Young, though Young is likely a more natural fit in right because of his defensive limitations in the outfield and how spacious left is in PNC Park. "We'll be fine," manager John Russell said. "We might lack a little bit on defense. But offensively, I think it's better. Does it hurt losing a fast left fielder? Yeah. That's why it's nice to have a center fielder like [Andrew] McCutchen. He can cover a lot of ground." The Pirates have been looking for a way to get the switch-hitting Young more consistent starts, and it now appears that Russell can do so. Young is hitting .329 in 21 starts this season and will likely take over the majority of the starts in right. Moss, having appeared to have turned a corner offensively, also appears positioned to continue starting fairly regularly, likely in left. However, don't discount Jones from being able to step in and steal some playing time. Had the left-handed-hitting Hinske not already been on the team, Jones likely would have made the club out of Spring Training. That's how many eyes he opened. "Garrett Jones made a great impression on us in Spring Training," general manager Neal Huntington said. "When the Yankees expressed interest, we felt like it was a great opportunity to get Eric up, get a couple young players and get Eric on his way to a club that he can help win." Jones, who was blocked by Michael Cuddyer and Justin Morneau for years in the Twins' system, hit .307 with 18 doubles, 12 homers, 14 stolen bases and 48 RBIs for Triple-A Indianapolis. With his speed, the Pirates believe he has the ability to cover ground in left. And then there's Salazar, who also had a strong showing this spring, but was squeezed out of competition for a potential roster spot because the Pirates were too left-handed heavy. Since then, Salazar has hit .265 with 10 homers and 36 RBIs while playing primarily in center and left for Indianapolis. Because the Pirates had not added anyone onto the 40-man roster when Craig Monroe was designated for assignment earlier this month, the club will not need to make any additional roster moves to add Salazar. Pitching matchupPIT: RHP Virgil Vasquez (1-0, 3.00 ERA)
Vasquez stepped into the rotation for recently demoted Ian Snell and performed admirably in his debut for the Pirates. After not pitching in the Majors since 2007, Vasquez allowed only two runs on four hits in six innings to earn his first big league win his last time out. Though he's not one to overpower hitters, Vasquez also finished the outing with seven strikeouts. He's a command pitcher with an above-average fastball and has improved the use of his offspeed pitches during his Minor League stint this season. CHC: RHP Randy Wells (2-3, 2.57 ERA)
After not getting a win in his first seven starts, Wells now has "W's" in back-to-back starts. He beat the White Sox in his last outing, striking out six over seven innings. He gave up five hits, including solo homers to Jermaine Dye and Jim Thome. It's the first time he's given up two home runs in a start. He's gone at least six innings in all of his starts except two and has kept the walks to a minimum. Bucs bits
Monroe has been placed on waivers in order to give him his unconditional release. He is expected to clear waivers and will subsequently become a free agent. ... Ryan Doumit left for Bradenton, Fla., on Tuesday and will begin his rehab work Wednesday. He said he is scheduled to then join Triple-A Indianapolis on Sunday to continue his rehab work then. Right now, Doumit's anticipated return date is July 17, the first day after the All-Star break. ... With their deal with the Yankees on Tuesday, the Pirates have now acquired eight players from the Yankees' Minor League system in the last 11 months. Pittsburgh landed Jeff Karstens, Ross Ohlendorf, Jose Tabata and Daniel McCutchen in a swap for Xavier Nady and Damaso Marte at the Trade Deadline last summer. The Pirates then also acquired pitcher Eric Hacker (for Romulo Sanchez) and Steven Jackson off waivers earlier this season. ... Pirates bullpen coach Luis Dorante has been asked to throw to Cardinals first baseman Albert Pujols during the State Farm Home Run Derby on July 13. Tickets
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• Thursday: Pirates (Paul Maholm, 5-4, 4.35) vs. Mets (Tim Redding, 1-3, 6.35), 12:35 p.m. ET
• Friday: Pirates (Charlie Morton, 0-1, 4.09) at Marlins (Chris Volstad, 5-7, 4.63), 6:10 p.m. ET
• Saturday: Pirates (Zach Duke, 8-6, 3.13) at Marlins (Andrew Miller, 2-4, 4.45), 6:10 p.m. ET
Jenifer Langosch is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
