Peter Diana, Post-Gazette Pirates pitcher Kip Wells yawns during practice in Bradenton, Fla. Click photo for larger image.

BRADENTON, Fla. -- J.R. House knew his right shoulder was in bad shape before he went into surgery Tuesday, but he did not realize how bad until afterward.

House, who had been the Pirates' No. 3 catcher, revealed yesterday that three unpleasant discoveries were made by Dr. James Andrews during the operation: Both tears in the labrum were worse than projected. The tear in the rotator cuff, thought to be 30 percent, was 70 percent. And, the biggest surprise, a bone atop the shoulder needed to be shaved down because it had been damaged by excessive friction.

House, who throws right-handed, said he long ago adjusted his throwing motion to avoid the pain that bone caused. He added that it might have contributed to his need for elbow surgery in 2002.

Still, he somehow managed to appear in 138 professional games the past two years.

"I have no idea how," he said.

House's timetable to return to baseball also was pushed back. He originally had hoped to play by the fall, but he now is looking toward the winter.

Roa's cause hurting

Right-hander Joe Roa, brought into camp as a non-roster invitee, was told he would be in the mix for the fifth starting job or the bullpen. But he has yet to make a strike toward that goal because he has yet to pitch.

He has been kept out of every workout since the Pirates' first one Feb. 18 because of spasms and tightness in his lower back.

"Just wear and tear," Roa said. "Probably from pitching for so long."

Roa, 33, is coming off a full season as a reliever with the Minnesota Twins in which he went 2-3 with a 4.50 earned run average.

"It's kind of embarrassing. You come in and want to make the team," he said. "But I know Dave Littlefield and his staff have seen me pitch before, and they know I'll be all right."

Manager Lloyd McClendon said Roa still has "plenty of time" to make the team.

Bradenton bits

Left-hander Oliver Perez extended his long tosses to 110-120 feet yesterday morning at McKechnie Field. He also threw from his regular motion and with additional velocity. He will throw from 150 feet today. He could take the mound tomorrow or Monday. The Pirates are holding back Perez because of his lack of activity in the offseason.

McClendon said that he expects shortstop Jack Wilson will sit out the first week of exhibition games, even though Wilson is recovering faster than expected from an appendectomy.

The team had a light two-hour workout at Pirate City under an overcast sky and the first traces of rain since spring training opened eight days ago. Pitchers did not throw, but will resume facing hitters in batting practice today.

The most intriguing batting practice group is made up of Jason Bay, Craig Wilson, Rob Mackowiak, Ben Grieve, Humberto Cota and prospect Brad Eldred. McClendon said the inclusion of Eldred, who hit 17 home runs in 39 games for Class AA Altoona last season, among the power hitters was no accident: "It should rub off, maybe help him a little." Although almost all hitters were teeing off against the coaches throwing batting practice, no one was hitting them harder or farther than Mackowiak.

John Wehner's move to the Pirates' broadcast booth prompted a shuffle of minor-league coaches. Matt Winters, who was to coach at Class A Lynchburg, will take Wehner's spot as a coach at Altoona. Brandon Moore, who was to coach at short-season Class A Williamsport, will take Winters' old spot.