Keith Srakocic, Associated Press The Pirates' Freddie Sanchez scores ahead of the tag by Phillies catcher Sal Fasano in the fifth inning of an exhibition game yesterday in Bradenton, Fla. Click photo for larger image.

BRADENTON, Fla. -- Both Victor Santos and Brandon Duckworth pitched well for the Pirates in their 8-3 victory against Philadelphia yesterday, but in the short run it might not have mattered.

That's because the battle between them for the final spot in the Pirates' starting rotation might not be between them at all.

Perhaps neither will wind up starting the second game of the season in Milwaukee. Because John Thomson will.

Thomson, 32, is with the Atlanta Braves, who have an excess of starting pitching because of the rise of young Kyle Davies, who's forcing the Braves' hand with an excellent spring.

It's believed the Braves have interest in Pirates first baseman/outfielder Craig Wilson, who's due $3.3 million this season and who doesn't figure to play much because of the presence of everyday players Sean Casey at first base and Jeromy Burnitz in right field.

Thomson, a veteran, would seem to be just what the Pirates need to bolster a young rotation. He could slot in between opening day starter Oliver Perez and third-game starter Zach Duke.

Thomson, 60-77 with a 4.69 earned run average lifetime, has a contract that expires after this season and pays him $4.75 million this year.

It's thought that if the deal is a straight one-for-one transaction, the Pirates could add the extra $1.45 million to their payroll.

But the trade could grow. The Braves also are believed to have some interest in right-handed reliever Salomon Torres. They could ask for him to be included in the deal, and the Pirates could counter that they'd sure like another player back from the Braves in that scenario.

As the situation stands now in Pirates camp, it's either Santos, a Rule Five draft pick from Kansas City, or Duckworth, a minor-league free-agent spring training invitee, for the fifth spot.

Manager Jim Tracy wasn't prepared to commit to either after yesterday's on-the-field developments.

"But what transpires over the course of the next few days could possibly help that situation along," Tracy said. "I don't know what's going to take place -- or what could take place -- over the course of the next three or four days that could change that."

But could that second-game starter not be in camp yet?

"As we're sitting here talking, we are working on making a decision within the framework of the people who come in here to work every day," Tracy said. "That's where we're at -- today."

For the record, Santos, who started the game, allowed four hits, a walk and two runs, and struck out four in 42/3 innings. Duckworth yielded three hits, two walks and a run and struck out three in four innings.

Wells returns

Kip Wells, who had surgery to repair a blocked artery in his right shoulder March 6, was back in camp yesterday.

Wells will begin a rehab assignment with the Pirates during their final week of spring training here, then continue to work in the Pirates' Extended Spring Training program. He could begin throwing softly in two weeks.

He's on target to pitch in a game for the Pirates by early or mid-July.

"It's kind of an exciting day for me to get back here and get back to some normalcy," said Wells, who had been home in Texas since the surgery.