PIRATES Wilson again headed to bench

Craig Wilson is versatile, but the Pirates keep bringing in other players.
BRADENTON, Fla. (AP) -- Craig Wilson is getting accustomed to watching the Pittsburgh Pirates bring in other people to play his positions.
Wilson can play catcher, first base and the outfield, but after a couple of signings in the past week, it looks like he will open the season on the bench.
The Pirates agreed to terms with first baseman Randall Simon last week and added right fielder Raul Mondesi on Monday.
In addition, three-time All-Star Jason Kendall returns for his ninth season as catcher.
"There's nothing I can do about that," Wilson said. "I'm not the one that determines who we bring in, who plays what position and how often they play. My job is fairly simple: Catch the ball, hit the ball and throw the ball. Anything else is out of my hands."
Familiar story
It is a familiar story for Wilson. Before the 2003 season, the Pirates traded for Simon and signed free agent right fielder Reggie Sanders.
This year, though, it looked like it might be different. Wilson's 18 homers last year were the most by any player on the roster until Mondesi was signed. Wilson hit 10 of his homers in his final 130 at-bats of the season.
"It's not something I'm going to worry about," Wilson said. "I'm going to go out and try to have the best spring training I can and make it difficult for them not put me in the lineup."
Some of Wilson's playing time could come in left field.
Jason Bay, acquired from the San Diego Padres in August, is recovering from right shoulder surgery and might not be ready for the start of the season.
Wilson's role
The Pirates also plan to use Wilson at first base against left-handed pitchers. And he likely will back up Kendall behind the plate for a second consecutive season.
"I don't see [playing time] as much of an issue," Pirates general manager Dave Littlefield said.
Lloyd McClendon also thinks Wilson will get his share of at-bats, even if it might not be in the 500-600 at-bat range.
"Playing time is certainly not given away," McClendon said. "It's earned and if Craig continues to progress, he'll get more and more playing time."
McClendon has encouraged Wilson to cut down on his strikeouts -- he has struck out 205 times in 677 at-bats over the past two seasons -- and to keep improving his two-strike hitting.
"Sometimes, he's the player of the month and other times it looks like he couldn't hit the side of a wall," McClendon said.