PIRATES Rookies filling Bucs' bullpen

Pittsburgh could start the season with an all-rookie bullpen.
BRADENTON, Fla. (AP) -- Left-handed reliever Joe Beimel was the latest to learn that, at least this spring, experience offers no advantage in making the Pittsburgh Pirates' opening day roster.
Beimel was released Wednesday in an unanticipated move that means the two left-handers projected to be in Pittsburgh's bullpen won't make the team. Former Cubs and Mets left-hander Mark Guthrie was released Monday with a 12.96 ERA.
By waiving Beimel, 26, before Wednesday's 2 p.m. deadline, the Pirates owe him only one-quarter of his $535,000 salary, or $133,750.
"I can't say it was too shocking," Beimel said. "I pretty much knew what was going on. I knew the dates, and I knew when things have to happen."
With Beimel and Guthrie gone, the Pirates could go with an all-rookie bullpen of John Grabow (0-0, 5.00 ERA in nine innings) and Mike Johnston, who was unscored upon in five games until giving up two runs in the eighth inning of Wednesday's 8-8 tie with Boston.
Grabow has appeared in only five major league games, while Johnston has never pitched above Double-A.
"Performance-wise, Joe didn't do the job and we have some lefties who are performing well right now. It's a tough call, but one that is based on how guys play," general manager Dave Littlefield said.
Burnett still available
Also in the mix is Sean Burnett, the franchise's top left-handed prospect, but he is expected to start the season in Triple-A Nashville's rotation.
Another option is to go with an all-right-handed rotation of Kip Wells, Kris Benson, Josh Fogg, Ryan Vogelsong and Rick Reed and shift left-hander Oliver Perez, the projected No. 4 starter, to the bullpen. Perez has had an up-and-down spring, going 1-3 with an 8.27 ERA and 22 hits allowed in 16 1-3 innings.
If Perez leaves the rotation, a move that manager Lloyd McClendon said only Tuesday he wasn't planning to make, Johnston and Burnett could wind up with Nashville.
"I thought I would be one of the first guys cut," said Johnston, who could become only the second known major leaguer with Tourette's syndrome. "I've stayed around a lot longer than I thought. I just hope I'm still here when that flight leaves Saturday night."
Produce of farm system
Beimel was a product of Pittsburgh's farm system, but his departure is another sign of how the Pirates are rebuilding with their own players. Besides the reshaped pitching staff, rookie Jose Castillo, who has never played above Double-A, is all but set as their opening day second baseman.
"We've got guys who are performing better and we think they will perform better in the future," Littlefield said.
Beimel, who played at Pittsburgh's Duquesne University, made a career-high 69 appearances last season but struggled with a 7.77 ERA after the All-Star break and finished 1-3 with a 5.05 ERA. Beimel also was ineffective this spring, with a 1-1 record and 8.22 ERA in six appearances.