MINOR-LEAGUE REPORT Wednesday's results INDIANAPOLIS (36-22) beat Rochester, 8-4. LHP Shane Youman (1-5, 5.50) allowed four runs and five hits in 4 1/3 innings. He struck out three and walked two. RHP Franquelis Osoria (2.20) pitched 1 2/3 innings of scoreless relief. LF Nick Green (.250) hit his third home run and went 2 for 4 with a double. SS Brian Bixler (.328) went 2 for 4 with two triples and an RBI. ALTOONA (27-28) lost at New Britain, 8-2. RHP Wardell Starling (2-5, 6.62) allowed seven runs in recording only two outs. 1B Steve Pearce (.280) hit his 14th home run, fourth with the Curve, and went 2 for 4. 3B Neil Walker (.305) went 3 for 3 with a double and a walk. CF Andrew McCutchen (.224) went 0 for 4. LYNCHBURG (28-28) lost at Myrtle Beach, 3-2. LHP Kyle Bloom (6-4, 3.81) allowed three runs, two earned, in five innings. RF Brad Corley (.213) went 2 for 4 with a double and two RBIs. HICKORY (23-33) lost to Lexington, 3-1. RHP Mike Crotta (2-4, 5.08) allowed three runs, two earned, in six innings. LHP Mike Felix (7.67) pitched two perfect innings of relief. 1B Kent Sakomoto (.286) hit his seventh home run and went 1 for 3.

WASHINGTON -- Sean Burnett heard enough good news yesterday that he could be back on the mound soon.

Burnett, a starter with the Pirates' Class AAA affiliate in Indianapolis, had his hand, forearm and elbow examined by the team's medical staff yesterday at Allegheny General Hospital, led by Dr. Mark Baratz, its hand specialist, and he was cleared to resume long-tossing Sunday.

If all goes well, he could return to Indianapolis' rotation by the end of the month.

Burnett, the Pirates' first-round draft pick in 2000, was placed on the minor-league disabled list Friday because of arm fatigue, but he also complained of nerve irritation in his elbow and pain that shot to his hand. That raised a red flag because he had reconstructive elbow surgery in 2004.

Patience with Kuwata

Although the Pirates are pleased with how reliever Masumi Kuwata has opened with Indianapolis -- two scoreless outings, two innings, two hits, two strikeouts, 20 strikes in 23 pitches -- there is no apparent rush to get him to Pittsburgh.

"You have to remember that this is someone coming off a really nasty injury," manager Jim Tracy said, referring to Kuwata's severely sprained right ankle in the spring. "And, while he does have those 21 years in Japan as a starter to rely on, coming out of the bullpen is something new for him. We're going to give him some time."

Buried treasure

Expect Ryan Doumit to be the Pirates' primary designated hitter in the interleague games that begin tomorrow. That was his job the two previous years and, if he is in that role, he will remain available to Tracy as emergency catcher.

The New York Yankees' rotation remains in flux for the coming weekend, but their tentative plan is to go with Andy Pettitte Friday even though he has had back trouble of late, Roger Clemens Saturday even though his 2007 debut remains in doubt because of a hamstring, and rookie Tyler Clippard Sunday.

Pirates center fielder Rajai Davis attended the unveiling of a Josh Gibson exhibit at the Mayflower hotel in downtown Washington. Sean Gibson, great-grandson of Gibson, was there, too. The exhibit will be on display until June 30.

Jonel Pacheco, a 24-year-old outfielder at Class A Hickory, was named to the South Atlantic League All-Star team. He is batting .289 with 11 home runs -- including three in one game April 27 -- and 40 RBIs.