EXHIBITION Durbin's pitching keys win

He allowed one run in the Tribe's 7-2 victory over the Mets.
ASSOCIATED PRESS
WINTER HAVEN, Fla. -- A few hours after learning he had been passed over to be Cleveland's fifth starter, Chad Durbin pitched four solid innings and led the Indians to a 7-2 win over the New York Mets.
Durbin gave up one run on three hits, while walking two and striking out two.
Tim Laker and Ben Broussard homered off Jae Weong Seo. Seo came in with a 6.75 ERA in four starts and was roughed up for five runs and eight hits in 41/3 innings. The right-hander walked one and struck out one.
Ludwick's injury
Indians outfielder Ryan Ludwick was scheduled to meet with Dr. Richard Steadman in Vail, Colo., today to see if he needs more surgery on his right knee. Ludwick was unable to do much this spring after undergoing surgery in October, and was going to stay in extended training camp to rehab his knee.
Tribe manager Eric Wedge said his final two roster decisions -- fourth outfielder and backup catcher -- could be announced today. In all likelihood those jobs belong to Alex Escobar and Tim Laker.
Pirates 6, Phillies 5
BRADENTON, Fla. -- Jose Castillo gave the Pittsburgh Pirates another reason to make him their starting second baseman.
Castillo, set to make the jump from Double-A to the major league lineup, hit a pinch-hit homer off David Coggin in the ninth inning as the Pirates rallied to beat Philadelphia.
Castillo's second homer raised his spring average to .298 and was his fourth hit in five at-bats. Manager Lloyd McClendon cautioned that Castillo and Bobby Hill remain in competition for the job as spring training winds down, but all signs point to Castillo being the starter on opening day.
"He's a very quick, very strong kid but, as big as he is [6-foot-1, 200 pounds], he moves very gracefully," McClendon said. "He's also got a quick bat."
The first player off the bench to congratulate Castillo was Hill, who had two hits and is batting .340 yet seems destined to start the season as a utility infielder.
"What else can I do?" Hill said. "I'm pleased with my spring. If I'd had a terrible spring, if I'd been outplayed, it would be different, but I don't feel like I've been outplayed."