Gorzelanny, Snell to pitch for Bucs

They are set to start the Pirates’ first two Grapefruit League games this week.

BRADENTON, Fla. (AP) — Tom Gorzelanny and Ian Snell each had a strong 2007 for the Pittsburgh Pirates. It appears each could get to pitch in an opener for the coming season.

The Pirates’ pitching plan for the first few Grapefruit League games, posted Monday, has Gorzelanny starting the first game Thursday against the Phillies in Clearwater and Snell starting the next day against the Phillies at McKechnie Field.

If that 1-2 order holds up, Gorzelanny would pitch the season opener March 31 in Atlanta and, six games later, Snell would take the home opener April 7 against the Chicago Cubs.

“If it happens that way, that would be great,” Gorzelanny said. “But I really just want to pitch.”

Gorzelanny, 25, went 14-10 with a 3.88 ERA in his first full season with Pittsburgh.

Snell, 26, had a 9-12 record that did not reflect how well he pitched in his second full season. He had a 3.76 ERA and 177 strikeouts.

Manager John Russell and pitching coach Jeff Andrews, the man who drew up the spring plan, each said nothing should be read into it.

“That’s just the way we set it up now to start getting guys a little work,” Russell said. “There’s no hidden agenda. Now, as we get deeper into camp, we’ll have to make the decisions, obviously, because you have to line up.”

The rest of the spring rotation has Zach Duke, Paul Maholm and Matt Morris following those two, in that order.

Notes

Byung-Hyun Kim worked out with the Pirates for the first time Monday, but his activity was limited to long-tossing and fielding practice. His first pitching off the mound will come Friday. ... Second baseman Freddy Sanchez (shoulder) slightly ramped up his throwing, to about three-quarters strength, in infield drills. ... Pitching prospect Yoslan Herrera will start Wednesday in the Pirates’ annual exhibition against Manatee Community College.