PIRATES Inspirational story suffers setback

Left-hander Mike Johnston, who has Tourette's syndrome, was sent down.
BRADENTON, Fla. (AP) -- Left-handed relief pitcher Mike Johnston, who gained national attention by overcoming Tourette's syndrome to pitch in the major leagues, was among the Pittsburgh Pirates' first cuts of the spring Monday.
Johnston was optioned to Triple-A Indianapolis, along with right-hander Jonah Bayliss.
Right-hander Josh Sharpless and infielders Javier Guzman and Craig Stansberry were optioned to Double-A Altoona, while left-hander Matt Peterson and outfielder Andrew McCutchen were reassigned to the minor-league camp.
Johnston made the Pirates out of spring training two years ago, joining former outfielder Jim Eisenreich as the only two players known to have Tourette's syndrome to play in the major leagues. Johnston spent all of last season with Indianapolis, except for one game with the Pirates.
He pitched in four exhibition games this spring and was 1-0 with one save while giving up two runs in four innings for a 4.50 ERA.
"Mike is a big, strong guy with a good arm, but performance also counts for something and we didn't think he was performing well enough to make the major league club, and the competition is stiffer this year," Pirates general manager Dave Littlefield said.
Bright future
Sharpless did not allow a run in three games and three innings this spring and had been one of the pleasant surprises this spring for the Pirates. Sharpless, who split last season between Class A Lynchburg and Double-A Altoona, grew up as a Pirates' fans in Freedom, Pa., and graduated from Allegheny College.
"I didn't really have any illusions that I would make the club," said Sharpless, who was in his first major league camp. "I just wanted to make a good impression and I feel like I did that. I think I proved to myself and, hopefully, the Pirates that I am capable of getting major league hitters out."
Opposing hitters have just a .149 career batting average against Sharpless in his three minor league seasons.
"His minor league statistics have been phenomenal and he was really impressive this spring," Littlefield said.
"He certainly looks like someone with a bright future."
Bayliss was acquired from the Kansas City Royals in December in a trade for left-hander Mark Redman. He allowed four runs in three innings in two games this spring for a 12.00 ERA.
Making strides
Peterson gave up one run in three innings in two outings this spring for a 3.00 ERA. Acquired from the New York Mets in a trade for pitcher Kris Benson in July 2004, Peterson struggled at Altoona last season as he went 11-9 with a 5.51 ERA in 27 games.
"I thought he made good strides this spring," Littlefield said. "He still has a ways to go, but he's making progress."
McCutchen, the youngest player in camp at 19 and the Pirates' first-round draft pick last year, hit only .176, but made a big impression.
"He's a great athlete and a heck of a baseball player," Pittsburgh manager Jim Tracy said. "You've got to like his future."
Stansberry hit .385 with two home runs this spring, while Guzman batted only .077.