Bobby Bradley, the Pirates' No. 1 draft pick in 1999 who has had trouble with his control, had tests on his neck and chest in Pittsburgh yesterday.

Bradley, who was examined by hand specialist Mark Baritz, is on the Class AAA Indianapolis disabled list because he said "I can't feel the ball coming out of my hand."

Bradley, who last pitched May 19, will have more nerve tests run today.

"I've had problems with my neck and upper chest for the last year or two," Bradley said. "And my [right] hand is kind of like curled up. I kept throwing because my arm felt good, but after the last time I had to say something."

In that game May 19 at Pawtucket, Bradley walked all three batters he faced. This season, he has walked 30 in just 12¹/₃ innings.

Wilson works out

Craig Wilson, on the disabled list after surgery on his left middle finger, is throwing and working out but still can't swing a bat. He is able to open his left hand more and could return to the Pirates in three weeks.

Hermansen in Mexico

Outfielder Chad Hermansen, the Pirates' top draft pick in 1995, has surfaced with the Campeche Pirates in the Mexican League. In 11 games, Hermansen is 6 for 33 with a home run and three RBIs and 20 strikeouts.

White's been right

Pirate reliever Rick White through Monday has been scored on just twice in his previous 16 appearances, allowing three runs in 21 innings.

"If we didn't have him, I don't know where our bullpen would be," manager Lloyd McClendon said. "He's been a very durable guy for us. He's done a good job of getting the ball to [closer Jose] Mesa. He's been outstanding."

Praise for Ross

McClendon also is happy with the job catcher David Ross has done behind the plate.

"On a scale of 1 to 10, it's somewhere between 8 and 10," McClendon said. "He does a nice job back there. He blocks [the ball], receives [the ball] and is learning how to call the game pretty good the way you want it done. His throwing is exceptional and his game presence is off the charts."

Big, little brother

Shortstop Jack Wilson's brother, Andy, plays for the Pirates' Class A Lynchburg team. Andy Wilson, a second baseman, is hitting .432 for the Hillcats.

"He's raking," Jack Wilson said of Andy Wilson, who will be 30 in August. "He's doing a great job. I'm proud of him."

Andy Wilson, who played collegiately at Cal State-Northridge, signed with the Pirates as a free agent Jan. 20. He made the Lynchburg team but wasn't guaranteed a starting spot.

"He didn't play very often early this season, but he battled through it," Jack Wilson said. "He can hit. He can play. It's just that he's kind of tiny."

Andy Wilson is listed at 5 feet 6, 170 pounds in the Pirates' media guide.

"You're not going to draft a guy who's 5-foot-6," Jack Wilson said. "Hopefully he can go up [in the Pirates' minor-league system] and they can use him at Altoona. But he's Crash Davis right now.

"Still, he wasn't going to play much and now he's part of the team. That's awesome. That's pretty impressive."