Pirates send Dan Kolb to minors

The former Brewers' All-Star closer is looking for another major league job.
BRADENTON, Fla. (AP) -- Dan Kolb, a former All-Star closer with the Milwaukee Brewers, was reassigned to the Pittsburgh Pirates' minor league camp Friday, and is looking for another major league job.
The Pirates had until Friday to notify Kolb whether he would make their 25-man roster. He is expected to report to the Pirates' minor league camp if he is not offered a spot on an opening-day roster of another team.
In a surprise move, the Pirates released non-roster infielder Jose Hernandez, who has played for manager Jim Tracy with the Dodgers and Pirates. Hernandez hit .300 with four doubles in spring training, the third time in his career he has been with Pittsburgh.
Also released was non-roster outfielder Luis Matos, who hit .271 with two home runs in 23 games this spring. He spent last season with the Orioles and Nationals.
Pirates' bullpen is set
With Kolb gone at least temporarily, the Pirates bullpen is set with right-handers Shawn Chacon, Matt Capps, Jonah Bayliss, Salomon Torres and John Wasdin, and left-handers Juan Perez and Damaso Marte. Torres will be the closer.
Left-hander John Grabow, who has not pitched in a Pirates game since March 11 because of a tender elbow, is expected to start the season on the 15-day disabled list.
Hernandez's release means Pittsburgh-area native Don Kelly will make the club as a utility infielder and Nate McLouth will be a left-handed bat off the bench and a spare outfielder. McLouth spent last season with Pittsburgh, but missed most of the final two months of the season with a sprained left ankle.
Invited to Indianapolis
Hernandez and Matos were invited to go to Triple-A Indianapolis.
Wasdin and Kelly had their contracts purchased by the Pirates and were added to the 40-man roster. The 34-year-old Wasdin allowed only one earned run in 10 1/3 innings this spring.
The Pirates have yet to firm up their bench, partly because second baseman Freddy Sanchez's status for Monday's opener in Houston is uncertain. He went hitless while playing in several minor league camp games Friday, but has not played in a Pirates game since March 6 because of a sprained right knee ligament.
Still in the Pirates camp are first baseman-outfielder Brad Eldred and catchers Humberto Cota and Ryan Doumit, but none of the three has been told if he will make the team.
Copyright 2007 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.