Pirates look for a little relief

February 25, 2009 at 12:25a.m.

Pittsburgh has seven candidates for three spots the starting rotation.

BRADENTON, Fla. (AP) — Pittsburgh Pirates manager John Russell could get plenty of practice walking out to the mound in today’s Grapefruit League opener against the Philadelphia Phillies.

The Pirates will use nine relief pitchers in the game, one per inning. None of the team’s starters will get on the mound until Thursday.

“It’s unfortunate we have to do that,” Russell said. “The way our schedule worked out, it’s something we have to do. But it’s important for [the relievers] to start getting their work in, too. We can get some of our younger guys out there early, which is good.”

Pitching coach Joe Kerrigan wants each starter to throw at least three times off a mound before appearing in a game. Figuring in days off for their arms to recover, none of the starters was ready to pitch against the Phillies.

“In these first few games of spring training, it’s almost like the starting pitcher is a reliever anyway, because they’re only going probably two innings,” Russell said. “So it’s not a whole lot different.”

Scheduled to pitch are right-handers Chris Bootcheck, Matt Capps, Romulo Sanchez, Ron Uviedo, Juan Mateo, Craig Hansen, Evan Meek and Jesse Chavez, and left-hander Donnie Veal. Of that group, only Capps, the closer, is a lock to be on the team on opening day.

Bootcheck and Mateo are non-roster invitees. Veal was picked up in December in the Rule 5 draft. In addition to Capps, setup pitchers John Grabow and Tyler Yates know they have bullpen jobs. That leaves four openings.

“This is a great opportunity for me,” said Veal, 24, who was the Chicago Cubs’ second-round draft pick in 2005. “I’ve got a legitimate chance to make the team, as opposed to just being invited to camp.”

The Pirates have seven candidates for three spots the starting rotation. Paul Maholm, who last season led the team with nine wins, and Ian Snell figure to be locks.

Snell is slated to pitch the first two innings Thursday against the Boston Red Sox. On Saturday, the right-hander will report to Puerto Rico’s training camp for the World Baseball Classic.

Notes

Third baseman Andy LaRoche, who missed four days of practice last week with a sore lower back, will not play today. LaRoche took live batting practice Tuesday, and might be ready to play Thursday against Boston. ... Lefty Tom Gorzelanny will start Friday’s game against Atlanta and pitch two innings. Maholm will work the first two innings Saturday against the Houston Astros. ... The Pirates signed infielder Ruben Gotay to a minor league contract. Gotay will report to minor league camp.