CINCINNATI -- Perhaps while sitting around Indianapolis for two cold days with no games to play and only some indoor batting practice to take, Freddy Sanchez remembered his career batting numbers against Cincinnati left-hander Eric Milton.

Or maybe he just got bored.

	MINOR-LEAGUE REPORT Saturday's results INDIANAPOLIS (1-0) and Columbus were postponed by cold. ALTOONA and host Erie were postponed by cold. LYNCHBURG (0-2) and Potomac were postponed by cold. HICKORY (2-0) and host Hagerstown were postponed by cold.

Whatever the reason, Sanchez last night rejoined the Pirates and could make his season debut at second base for them today.

Sanchez, out since March 6 because of a sprained right knee and rehabbing with the Class AAA Indianapolis Indians, rode over from Indianapolis in a car provided by the Pirates.

Perhaps that car returned to Indianapolis last night with Ryan Doumit aboard. Doumit was sent to Indianapolis to make roster room for Sanchez.

Sanchez played six innings for Indianapolis Thursday night. He had hoped to play seven innings in a night game Friday night, but that game was postponed by inclement weather.

He'd hoped to play nine innings in a night game last night, but cold weather erased that game, too. A poor forecast also put Indianapolis' doubleheader against Columbus today in some jeopardy.

"Eventually, you've got to make a [decision]," Pirates general manager Dave Littlefield said.

The Pirates had left that decision up to Sanchez, waiting for the reigning National League batting champion to tell them he was ready to play. Today could be a good time for Sanchez to do that. Milton is scheduled to start for the Reds, and Sanchez is 9 for 13 against him.

Will Sanchez start today?

"We'll see," Pirates manager Jim Tracy said. "We'll see."

Castillo's role changes

Doumit's demotion after three hitless pinch-hitting at-bats means former regular second baseman Jose Castillo soon will become a utility player for the Pirates. It also means the Pirates will go with two catchers -- regular Ronny Paulino and backup Humberto Cota. The switch-hitting Doumit, who preferred not to comment on his demotion yesterday, will catch every day for Indianapolis, said Tracy.

First start for Kelly

Don Kelly, the Mt. Lebanon and Point Park product, made his first major-league start yesterday, playing second base.

"I'm definitely excited," he said after seeing his name posted in the lineup. "Ever since I was 5 years old I've wanted to play in the big leagues."

A salute to Robinson

The Pirates announced yesterday all their uniformed personnel will wear No. 42 next Sunday when Major League Baseball celebrates the 60th anniversary of Jackie Robinson's breaking the color barrier.

Robinson wore No. 42 with the Brooklyn Dodgers. Major League Baseball retired that number throughout the industry in 1997.

The Pirates' No. 42 uniforms will be regular uniforms, but no names will appear on the back of the jerseys -- as was the case when Robinson played. The St. Louis Cardinals and Los Angeles Dodgers will wear similar jerseys with no names in their games that day.

The Pirates will play the San Francisco Giants at PNC Park next Sunday, and Giants left fielder and former Pirate Barry Bonds will wear No. 42.