McClendon unsure about Bucs' roster

BRADENTON, Fla. (AP) -- For a team that supposedly isn't very good, the Pittsburgh Pirates certainly are taking a long time to choose their opening day roster.
Manager Lloyd McClendon prefers to choose his 25-man roster well before breaking camp, to get his players comfortable with one other and so that the relievers can pitch during the final week of camp in the roles they will fill when the season starts.
Not this spring, even though the Pirates are a nearly universal pick to finish last in the NL Central amid the most dire forecasts they've had going into a season since 1997.
With only two days remaining in camp, the Pirates have an unsettled starting rotation, an unfilled lineup spot at second base and a bullpen that may be uncomfortably young with as many as three rookies.
"Hopefully, we'll have some answers [today]," McClendon said.
They had better have them by late Saturday afternoon, or else they will have a very crowded plane heading north to Pittsburgh for Monday's opener against the Phillies.
On the bubble
Bobby Hill has unexpectedly had a monster spring with a .365 average and five homers, but the Pirates will go with rookie Jose Castillo at second base. One of the Pirates' best middle infield prospects in years, he'll make the leap from Double-A to the majors.
While he won't start every day, Hill has forced his way onto the club, taking the job that would have gone to backup first baseman Carlos Rivera.
Oliver Perez was expected to be a lock for the starting rotation, but his late-spring struggles and the Pirates' shortage of left-handed relievers have led them to consider switching him temporarily to the bullpen. If that happens, they'll start the season with an all-right-handed rotation of Kip Wells, Kris Benson, Josh Fogg, Ryan Vogelsong and Rick Reed.
Left-hander Sean Burnett (0-0, 1.04 ERA) has pitched effectively in his four appearances, but probably hasn't worked enough innings (82/3) to seriously be in the running and seems more likely to start the season at Triple-A Nashville.
Uncertainty
The Pirates were expected to keep as many as three left-handed relievers, but may keep only one -- John Grabow (0-0, 5.00) -- even if Perez stays in the rotation. The hard-throwing Mike Johnston (0-0, 2.84 ERA) has been impressive, but has never pitched above Double-A and the Pirates may decide he simply needs more time in the minors.
If that happens, the Pirates' opening day staff would be Benson, Brian Boehringer, Jason Boyd, Fogg, Grabow, Brian Meadows, Jose Mesa, Perez, Reed, Salomon Torres, Vogelsong and Wells.
If Hill stays, the 13 position players would be catchers Jason Kendall and Humberto Cota, first baseman Randall Simon, shortstop Jack Wilson, third baseman Chris Stynes, utilityman Abraham Nunez, Hill, Castillo and outfielders J.J. Davis, Rob Mackowiak, Raul Mondesi, Tike Redman and Craig Wilson. Davis is out of minor league options and the Pirates risk losing him on a waiver claim if they to return him to the minors.
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