Peter Diana, Post-Gazette photos Pirate Scott Strickland throws off the mound prior to workouts for pitchers and catchers at Pirate City Bradenton. Click photo for larger image. More Coverage: Pirates Notebook: Castillo won't play in Classic Gene Collier: WBC making nervous wrecks

BRADENTON, Fla. -- It is a scenario as common to spring training as sunshine and senior citizens in the stands: Veteran player seeks another chance, gets invited to camp on a tryout contract and vows to overcome the odds.

The variation in the Pirates' version this year is that they have eight pitchers in that mold, all with major-league experience, all battling for what amounts to two openings in the bullpen.

Or one.

Or none at all.

Barring injury, five of the seven reliever spots are filled. Another is almost certain to be taken by Ian Snell, Victor Santos or Ryan Vogelsong, those being considered for the single opening in the starting rotation. It is possible, too, the team could choose among those three to fill both bullpen vacancies.

Add it up and the odds appear long for those on tryouts, even though management is stressing the competition is open.

"It's going to be interesting, I think," general manager Dave Littlefield said. "There will be a few guys who will pop out of this thing. It's hard to say who it's going to be."

The eight are Giovanni Carrara, Terry Adams, Brandon Duckworth, Scott Strickland, C.J. Nitkowski, Britt Reames, Jorge Vasquez and Matt Whiteside. All but Nitkowski are right-handers, which is the team's preference to fill out the bullpen.

Pirate Terry Adams tosses the ball during workouts at Pirate City Bradenton. Click photo for larger image.

Those with the best chance out of the pack:

Carrara, who will turn 38 next month, worked under manager Jim Tracy and pitching coach Jim Colborn for four years in Los Angeles. Always durable, Carrara made 72 appearances last season with a 3.93 ERA and was equally effective against hitters from both sides. One red flag: His ERA was 2.70 at pitcher-friendly Dodger Stadium, 5.57 on the road.

Adams, who will turn 33 next month, also pitched for Tracy and Colborn, in 2001. He has a 51-62 career record with a 4.17 ERA, and he was fairly consistent until going 0-2 with a 12.63 ERA for the Philadelphia Phillies last season. He was demoted to Class AAA Scranton/Wilkes-Barre in July and, after a short time, left the team and went home.

Duckworth, 30, spent three seasons with Philadelphia and the past two in the Houston organization. He made seven appearances last season and had an 11.02 ERA. At Class AAA Round Rock, he went 8-6 in 19 starts with a 4.62 ERA.

Strickland, 29, had five solid years with the Montreal Expos and New York Mets, all with an ERA of 3.60 or lower. But reconstructive elbow surgery in 2003 derailed his career, and it was not until September that he made it back to the majors with Houston.

All seem unfazed by the daunting numbers they face this spring.

"It's going to be fun, I think," Duckworth said. "I like the competition, and I know there are a lot of quality guys here. As long as you get the opportunity to go out there and pitch, who knows what can happen?"

Carrara probably has the edge, mostly because he is coming off by far the most productive season of anyone in the group. He also is a favorite of Tracy and Colborn, who often speak highly of him. He has yet to report to camp because of visa problems in leaving Venezuela, but Tracy said Carrara is expected today and that his time missed will not hurt his cause.

"He picks up on things very quickly," Tracy said.

Adams is trying to pick up where he left off last spring, when he was among the Phillies' top relievers before his season disintegrated. He briefly left baseball last summer, he explained, because he chose to be with his young son rather than play in the minors.

"I went home and just tried to clear my head and get into better shape," he said. "I have to put all that behind me and start over. I've been in the big leagues for about a decade now, and last year was the first one where I really struggled. I'm determined to make it back."

Littlefield said the Pirates' scouts long have admired Duckworth's potential, but he allowed Duckworth's erratic command has held him back.

Duckworth blamed a lack of opportunity in Houston.

"The biggest thing is being allowed to actually pitch," he said. "The past two years, I just haven't been given any innings. I was just kind of the emergency guy. That's tough for anybody."

None of the four has had a tougher path than Strickland, who had to deal with recurring elbow pain until last season.

"It took two years, and there were some tears," he said. "You never know if you're going to be one of those guys who never makes it back. But I made it. I'm back. I'm healthy. And I know we've got a couple spots open, so I just have to get people out."