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The games start today ... well, kind of. There is an intrasquad scrimmage at Pirate City, which leads to the annual clash against the hated Manatees tomorrow, which leads to Grapefruit play.

That is good on two levels:

One, there is only so much that can be written about this phase of spring training, unless, that is, you want more about Yoslan Herrera's circle-change in bullpen sessions.

Two, I get to see Andrew McCutchen play real baseball.

In describing prospects for readers, it almost always is necessary to rely on second-hand reports -- whether published or offered by talent evaluators -- or statistics. I prefer, as I am sure most would, to see the player play. Let me see how he swings the bat, how he runs, throws ... even how he carries himself. In McCutchen's case, specifically, every one of those is fun to examine, just as it is fun to project how that might translate to Pittsburgh ... and how soon.

There is another reason I think of McCutchen on this day, and it is because he had a pretty nice intrasquad last spring ...

Q: Dejan, first, I'd like to follow-up to the Q&A reader who wrote last week about living in Pittsburgh. I will proudly agree with his sentiments and would like to proclaim myself as a 20-30 year-old who loves Pittsburgh and plans on staying here.

Secondly, with Shawn Chacon having arthritis in his knee, wouldn't this automatically give the fifth spot to Tony Armas Jr.? Have you known of any pitcher (or even players) who have played with arthritis and continued to play well?

Ryan Kasun of Export

KOVACEVIC: Chacon's issue, by all accounts, is a matter of pain tolerance more than it is something that has a direct effect on his delivery. And when I say that, I am speaking of the current view. It is important to note that Chacon himself cited the knee at various points last season in connection with poor outings.

I am not aware of any kind of scientific study on arthritis as it relates to baseball, Ryan, but my understanding is that it is not all that uncommon, albeit to widely varying degrees. What I have been told in Chacon's case is that it should not be any impediment. But, again, we will see.

I do see Armas as having an advantage in the duel, regardless, mostly because he made 30 starts to Chacon's 20 last season. I print those numbers a lot, and that is because I think they carry large meaning to the Pirates in this matter.

Q: Hi, Dejan. Has Freddy become the regular second baseman and the two Joses are deciding their own fate at third base? That would make sense, one infield position to be decided on, and knowing who the double-play combo is now.

Dana C. Lane of Shirleysburg, Pa.

KOVACEVIC: No, there has been no such decision made, Dana. At least, if there has been, it has not been relayed to any of the infielders. They have been told, as Jim Tracy indicated publicly, that they want to try a couple of different things early in camp. Nothing more.

The vibe that I get is that, if anyone were betting on this, your Pittsburgh infield will still have Sanchez at third, Wilson at short and Castillo at second by the time we get to Houston.

Thing No. 9 that I miss about Pittsburgh: Much as I enjoy the PPG ice rink and all that it has brought to a previously dormant part of Downtown, I always find myself feeling that no one should ever take credit for it. Rather, there should be universal public shame that an idea so good, so obvious, should have taken two decades to be conceived.

Especially at night, especially during snowfall, it is an urban scene unlike any on our planet. The ice is a perfect match for the glass cathedrals that surround it, the reflections of the electric tree makes it seem almost engulfing, and that combined with the candle-holding choirs that perform there on Light-Up Night ... just nothing like it. And you can find large clusters of people there, including countless children, at all hours of the day and night, even up to midnight on weekends.

We are all idiots for not having thought of it sooner.

Until tomorrow ...