BRADENTON, Fla. -- If Nate McLouth makes the Pirates' roster, he might have Oliver Perez to thank.

Confusing?

Not really.

Management entered spring training designating its starting center fielder as Chris Duffy and its spare outfielders as Craig Wilson and Jody Gerut. Thus, even when McLouth sparkled this spring, his fate seemed sealed.

But, when Perez turned in 5²/₃ terrific innings Wednesday against the Boston Red Sox, the Pirates' brass began talking about having an 11-man pitching staff rather than the standard 12, something that hasn't happened in Pittsburgh since the 1990s.

"Up to that point, we hadn't seen anything that resembled that," manager Jim Tracy said yesterday of Perez's work. "Now, we know he can go deep into games. Zach Duke, Ian Snell and Paul Maholm can do deep, too."

No decision has been reached, Tracy added, but the 11-man staff would be used on a test basis, perhaps just a turn through the rotation to see how many innings the starters can deliver. The importance of that is heightened because the Pirates open with games on 17 consecutive days.

With a 14th position spot available, McLouth, 24, would be virtually guaranteed to make the team after an outstanding March in which he batted .352 with 2 doubles, 3 home runs and 8 RBIs, and had a team-best seven steals.

He didn't hurt his cause yesterday in the 7-5 loss to the Minnesota Twins at McKechnie Field, going 2 for 3 with a double, a walk, a steal and two RBIs.

"I feel like I belong," McLouth said afterward. "I've been able to execute the things Jim wants to see, to the way he manages. I've made the most of the opportunity I've been given, I think."

Tracy was asked what McLouth had done to make an impression.

"What hasn't he done?" came the reply. "Tell me that."

The Pirates have another way to keep McLouth, of course: Demote someone else.

For the first time, Littlefield suggested that McLouth could supplant Duffy or Gerut. All three can be optioned.

"We have some tough decisions in center field and with our extra outfielders," Littlefield said. "We continue to talk about those things. Nothing is a lock."

Duffy, slowed by injuries, is batting .222. Gerut, riding a 10-for-22 roll, is at .349.

On the Wilson front

Yet another way to keep McLouth would be to trade Wilson, but the Pirates' flirtation with an 11-man staff provided a solid indicator that is not imminent.

Seattle is one of at least five teams known to have expressed interest in Wilson, but Mariners general manager Bill Bavasi last night denied his team is offering starter Joel Pineiro in return.

Grabow going long?

Even with a six-man bullpen, Tracy would want two long relievers. One spot is undetermined, and the other, he said, might go to John Grabow, the Pirates' left-handed setup man last season.

Carrara demoted

The Pirates pared their roster to 29 by assigning reliever Giovanni Carrara to their minor-league camp.

Carrara, 38, was favored to win a job despite being a non-roster invitee, but he saw little action for Venezuela in the World Baseball Classic and was ineffective upon his return. His 9.00 ERA in six outings was highest among all regulars, and opposing hitters had a .429 average.

"No excuse," Carrara said. "When I came back, they told me they would give me a chance to pitch. I wasn't myself. I was leaving every single pitch high."

Carrara's contract included an escape clause allowing him to declare free agency if the Pirates didn't place him on their 25-man roster by tomorrow. But, after a discussion with Littlefield and Tracy, he elected to report to Class AAA Indianapolis.

"Like I told them, I'm going to do everything I can to be back and help the team to the playoffs. This team's going to go to the playoffs."

Marte back on mound

Reliever Damaso Marte, troubled by a stiff neck earlier in the week, pitched one scoreless inning against Cincinnati's Class AAA team at Pirate City. He needed 17 pitches to retire all three batters and struck out one.

Marte should pitch in the spring finale tomorrow, too. If he feels fine, Littlefield said, he will be with the team for the opener Monday.

Buried treasure

Tracy said more moves are likely today, but some might wait until tomorrow.

Duke will make his final spring start today against Minnesota's Brad Radke in Fort Myers. Duke will be trying to shake off an 0-3 record and 7.29 ERA in six starts.