Injured Sanchez is expected back in Bucs’ starting lineup tonight

NEW YORK (AP) — Freddy Sanchez was held out of Pittsburgh’s starting lineup with a sore right shoulder Monday, leaving the Pirates without their starting double-play combination against the Mets.

Sanchez pinch-hit for pitcher Zach Duke in the seventh inning and doubled in a run as the Pirates rallied for a 7-5 victory over New York. Manager John Russell said the second baseman should be back in the lineup tonight against Cincinnati.

Shortstop Jack Wilson also was held out with right shoulder stiffness. He was scratched from Friday night’s game in Philadelphia, delivered a pinch-hit infield single in the 12th inning of the Pirates’ 2-0 win and sat out Saturday and Sunday.

“Better, but it’s still not where he feels like he can play shortstop,” Russell said.

The Pirates did get one infielder back Monday. Third baseman Andy LaRoche was in the lineup for the first time since he was hit on the right thumb by a Dan Haren pitch last Monday. LaRoche walked as a pinch hitter in Sunday’s loss.

He went 0-for-3, scored a run and committed an error in the victory over New York.

LaRoche’s brother, Adam, was scheduled to begin a rehab assignment with Class A Hickory on Monday night. The first baseman is on the disabled list with a strained muscle in his rib cage.

Reliever Matt Capps (right shoulder bursitis) is expected to pitch one inning today in a rehab start with Double-A Altoona. The right-hander made two rehab appearances with the Gulf Coast League Pirates, allowing an unearned run in two innings.