BASEBALL ROUNDUP News and notes

Pirates: At Brandenton, Fla., Matt Morris is, in many ways, exactly the type of pitcher Pittsburgh needs. He’s a dependable starter with a quality pedigree who welcomes the opportunity to mentor a young staff. At the same time, he seems to understand that his status is tenuous at best because of his $9.5 million salary, roughly 20 percent of the team’s $50 million payroll. Pirates’ management tried to trade him this offseason and undoubtedly will continue to do so. Morris doesn’t seem bothered much by it. To the contrary. “I’m just getting ready for the season,” he said. “That’s all you can really concentrate on because that other stuff is out of your hands.” Morris understands that raising his value for his pending free agency — he can be eligible after the coming season if a $9 million club option is bought out — might be easier elsewhere. The Pirates have had 15 consecutive losing seasons and made few roster moves this winter. “It’s obviously harder on a team that’s not as experienced,” Morris said. “To come over here and try to raise your stock is not a good move, but it’s still baseball, it’s still competing, and it seems like the organization is going in the right direction. I’m happy to be a part of it.” Morris was acquired in July by Dave Littlefield, the general manager at the time, perhaps because of an urgency to improve the team immediately when it became clear Littlefield’s job was in jeopardy. The move might have contributed to Littlefield’s firing about six weeks later.

Cubs: At Mesa, Ariz., second baseman Mark DeRosa was released from a hospital after being taken there by ambulance for an irregular heartbeat he experienced during spring training drills. DeRosa was sitting up on a stretcher as he was wheeled out of the Fitch Park complex around midday. Some of his teammates were still on the field winding up a day of workouts. A team spokesman said DeRosa felt faint but never lost consciousness. Manager Lou Piniella said DeRosa had experienced irregular heartbeats previously.

Padres: At Peoria, Ariz., right fielder Brian Giles is attempting to come back from offseason micro-fracture surgery on his right knee. And Saturday’s portion of the Padres’ practice that required him to cut on the basepaths was considered a big test. “Everything is going good,” Giles said. “I’m going through full workouts. No setbacks so far since the surgery and that is a good sign.” The Padres hope Giles can start playing by the third full week of spring games. He’s not going to be on the split squad that will play two exhibition games in China on March 15-16.

White Sox: At Tucson, Ariz., third baseman Joe Crede expects to be available for the spring training opener Wednesday against Colorado despite a sore hand. Crede took batting practice Saturday for the first time since he was hit on the left hand Thursday by a pitch from teammate Mike MacDougal. The hand swelled up considerably, but Crede said X-rays were negative. Crede is competing with Josh Fields for the starting third base job.

Red Sox: At Fort Myers, Fla. Manny Ramirez switched agents and is now represented by Scott Boras. Ramirez, entering the final guaranteed year of his contract, became the seventh player on Boston’s probable 25-man roster to be represented by Boras. He had been represented by Greg Genske.

Associated Press