Santos battles for spot on Bucs' rotation

There are six pitchers competing for the two open positions.
FORT MYERS, Fla. (AP) -- Victor Santos has a simple way of looking at the six-man competition for two open spots in the Pittsburgh Pirates' starting rotation.
"I'm really not worrying about it," Santos said. "I'm just thinking about what I can control. I can't worry about what other guys are doing."
Santos and right-hander Brandon Duckworth, two of the six candidates, had their latest chance to make an impression Wednesday in the Pirates' 5-3 loss to the Minnesota Twins.
Santos pitched in relief and allowed one run on one hit -- a home run by Rondell White -- in 21/3 innings. He had one strikeout and walked none. Duckworth started and gave up two runs and three hits in 31/3 innings. He struck out one and walked three.
"I thought Victor was outstanding," Pirates manager Jim Tracy said. "Even on the home run, it was a good pitch and Rondell White had to reach out and get it."
Other candidates for spots in the rotation include left-handers Sean Burnett and Tom Gorzelanny and right-handers Ian Snell and Ryan Vogelsong.
Came in as favorite
Santos came into spring training as the nominal favorite to win what was then one job in the rotation. A second spot opened when right-hander Kip Wells had surgery earlier this month for a blood clot in his right arm.
So far in the exhibition season, Santos' performances have been uneven.
Santos allowed six runs in 92/3 innings for a 5.59 ERA and has given up 17 hits. He has shown good control, walking just one batter.
Came from Kansas City
The Pirates selected Santos in December from Kansas City in the Rule 5 Draft.
"I had no idea that Pittsburgh was going to take me," Santos said. "It really caught me off guard. I didn't even know I was eligible for the Rule 5 Draft."
Santos was eligible because he was not on Kansas City's major-league roster; he had signed a minor league contract. After trading left-handers Dave Williams and Mark Redman during the winter meetings, the Pirates decided to take a chance on Santos.
"He's a veteran guy who has had some success and we feel he gives us some depth and some options with our starting pitching," Pirates general manager Dave Littlefield said.
If Santos does not make the rotation, the Pirates might keep him as a long reliever. He must stay on the 25-man roster throughout the season or be offered back to Kansas City for $25,000, half the draft price.
Notes
Left-hander Damaso Marte, who had been pitching for the Dominican Republic in the World Baseball Classic, returned to the Pirates' camp in Bradenton, Fla., Wednesday to have his sore left shoulder examined. The Pirates are unsure how long Marte may be out of action or if he could return to the WBC when the semifinals start Saturday in San Diego. ... Catcher Steve Lerud was reassigned to the minor-league camp Wednesday. Lerud was 0-for-4 in six games this spring.
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