NEW YORK -- The Pirates' injury news brightened significantly yesterday.

Starter Oliver Perez, coming back from a broken left big toe, took the mound at Shea Stadium and fared well enough in a three-inning simulated game that he could begin a Class AAA assignment early next week.

		MINOR-LEAGUE REPORT Tuesday's results INDIANAPOLIS (69-56) lost to Durham, 7-5. LHP Paul Maholm (3.34) allowed three runs in 5 2/3innings. He gave up five hits, struck out two and walked five. LHP Mike Johnston (2.86) pitched two scoreless innings of relief but gave up two hits and walked three. RF Yurendell DeCaster (.295) hit his 10th home run. DH Ty Wigginton (.278) went 2 for 5 with three RBIs. ALTOONA (64-58) split a doubleheader at Akron, losing, 3-2, and winning, 3-2. In the opener, RHP Eddie Candelario (3.25) allowed two runs, one earned, in six innings. LF Rich Thompson (.254) went 2 for 3 with a triple and double. In the nightcap, LHP Shane Youman (5-6, 4.35) allowed two runs in six innings. CF Rajai Davis (.285) went 2 for 3 with a double, a walk, an RBI and his 43rd stolen base. LYNCHBURG (68-55) lost to Myrtle Beach, 7-5. RHP Wardell Starling (9-9, 5.26) allowed six runs in six innings. RF Vic Buttler (.312) went 2 for 4 with his fourth home run. HICKORY (48-68) lost at Hagerstown, 1-0. RHP Romulo Sanchez (3-2, 3.38) allowed one run in 7 1/3 innings. C Neil Walker (.293) went 2 for 3. He also was 2 of 3 in catching runners trying to steal and committed his 11th error, on a throw. WILLIAMSPORT (32-23) lost at Staten Island, 3-2. RHP Eric Krebs (4.67) allowed one run in five innings. BRADENTON (25-21) lost to the Reds, 13-3. RHP Nicolas Suero (4-5, 3.38) allowed eight runs, three earned, in 3 1/3 innings. CF Andrew McCutchen (.279) walked and was hit by a pitch in his only two plate appearances and scored two runs.

In Pittsburgh, outfielder Craig Wilson had positive results from tests taken on his fractured left hand by Dr. Mark Baratz, the team's hand specialist, and could resume swinging a bat this weekend.

Those developments, plus the return this week of reliever Mike Gonzalez, make for an uplifting confluence for the Pirates, who have gone long stretches without three of their top performers from 2004.

"It certainly has had an effect on us," general manager Dave Littlefield said. "You're talking about a starting pitcher who led the National League in strikeouts per nine innings, a power hitter who led our team with 29 home runs and a setup man who had a 1.25 ERA. You don't like to make excuses, and you try to do all you can to minimize injuries. But those are three of our key performers, and they have been out for quite some time."

Perez has missed 46 of his team's games, a span in which he could have made nine starts. Wilson has missed a combined 83 games because of injuries to his finger and hand. Gonzalez missed 44 games while rehabilitating a sprained knee ligament.

The team also has been without young starters Sean Burnett and John Van Benschoten all year because of major arm surgeries. Burnett almost surely would have been in the rotation.

"Every team has injuries. We're no different than any team," manager Lloyd McClendon said. "The difference is having guys with experience able to step in. We've had young players do that. Has it had an impact not having those guys? When it's your No. 1 starter, your No. 1 home run hitter and your No. 1 setup man, of course. But you have to adjust and move on."

Perez's outing yesterday consisted of 50 pitches, followed by a round of fielding practice. McClendon described Perez as "spraying the ball a bit," but he and pitching coach Spin Williams generally seemed satisfied.

As did Perez.

"I felt really good," he said. "I felt normal. I had good velocity, good location."

Perez will throw a bullpen session tomorrow in Philadelphia. If there are no setbacks, he will be sent to Class AAA Indianapolis and, soon thereafter, make a start of four innings and 75 pitches. He should make at least two starts in the minors before returning to Pittsburgh.

Wilson's timeline is less clear, but it, too, is rounding into shape.

"He showed improved range of motion and strength," Littlefield said. "It's encouraging."

Littlefield added that Wilson should be able to resume "baseball-type activities" tomorrow or Saturday, including swinging a bat. Like Perez, Wilson will need a rehabilitation stint in Indianapolis before returning.

North Side notches

Three Pirates have been put through waivers this month, according to a list obtained by ESPN. Outfielder Rob Mackowiak was claimed and, subsequently, had his name withdrawn by the Pirates. Pitchers Josh Fogg and Ryan Vogelsong cleared. The most common reason for teams to put players through waivers this time of year is to be traded. Teams have until Aug. 31 to include trade acquisitions on postseason rosters.

Rookie Zach Duke will try to improve to 6-0 when he starts tonight, but it is not known how much more action he will get after that. If he pitches two full innings tonight, he will top his career high of 160¹/₃ innings in a season, and the team plans to limit his work the rest of the way because of that. Asked how the team plans to do so, McClendon replied, "There are several things we can do. I'm not ready to talk about them at this point."

McClendon said the team has talked to Perez about the possibility of playing winter ball in his native Mexico to make up for the innings lost this season. All rookie position players also will be asked to play winter ball. Players must agree to such assignments.