MINOR-LEAGUE REPORT Wednesday's results INDIANAPOLIS (43-28) beat Pawtucket, 6-3. LHP Michael Tejera (3-1, 4.34) allowed two runs and three hits in 6 1/3 innings. RHP Franquelis Osoria (1.98) pitched a perfect ninth for his sixth save. LF Michael Ryan (.229) hit his third home run and went 3 for 4 with a triple. SS Brian Bixler (.308) went 1 for 2 with two walks and a steal. ALTOONA (34-33) split a doubleheader at Erie, winning, 4-1, and losing, 4-3. In the first game, LHP Josh Shortslef (2-6, 4.03) allowed one run in 6 2/3 innings. In the second game, RHP Todd Redmond (5-4, 3.84), promoted from Lynchburg for this start, allowed one run in five innings. For the day, 1B Steve Pearce (.311) hit his 20th home run -- his ninth with the Curve -- and went 2 for 7 with three RBIs. 3B Neil Walker (.314) went 1 for 6. CF Andrew McCutchen (.229) went 0 for 8. LYNCHBURG (29-38) was off. HICKORY (27-40) was off. STATE COLLEGE (0-1) lost its season opener to Williamsport, 2-0. RHP Moises Robles (0-1, 1.50) allowed one run in six innings. 1B Justin Byler (.500) went 2 for 4 with a double. BRADENTON (1-1) lost to the Twins, 5-3. RHP Rafael Delossantos (0-0, 1.80) allowed two runs in five innings. CF Quincy Latimore (.333) went 1 for 3 with a walk and a steal.

SEATTLE -- The Pirates are carrying a rather unwieldy total of eight relievers, but that is sure to be reduced soon.

One might be out as early as tomorrow, when closer Matt Capps' three-game suspension ends.

Another could be out by the end of the weekend, when the team loses the ability to carry a three-man bench as it can in American League stadiums.

Who will go?

The best way to guess, judging by the pointed message sent by manager Jim Tracy before the Pirates' game last night at Safeco Field, is to check the relievers' walk totals.

"Walks are never good, and they're even worse late in the game," Tracy said. "If you walk people with six outs or less to go in a major-league game ... we've seen how that plays out."

Listen, too, to Tracy's description of why he appreciates the work of newcomer Masumi Kuwata:

"I trust him. He's a professional. He knows what he's doing. When he takes the mound, you know he's going to throw strikes. Watch him, and you might learn something."

Sure sounds like Kuwata is sticking around.

So, who does that leave on the bubble?

Dan Kolb, whose $1.2 million contract was purchased from Class AAA Indianapolis last week, has given up three runs, six hits and two walks -- one intentional -- in his first three appearances. Only 34 of his 64 pitches were strikes. Still, management might feel he has not had enough opportunity.

Jonah Bayliss, owner of a 7.56 ERA, has been scored upon in four of his past five outings, with two walks in that span.

Tony Armas, relegated to mop-up duty after a miserable run as a starter, has a 6.35 ERA as a reliever. For the season, he has 35 walks in 61 innings.

Demoting or releasing Armas would be the most eyebrow-raising, if only because the Pirates committed $3.5 million in guaranteed money on him as their only free-agent signing of the offseason. Eating that would be a blow under any circumstance, but especially for a team that has little to show for the $12.5 million it spent last year on its only three free-agent signees: Jeromy Burnitz, Joe Randa and Roberto Hernandez.

Grabow: No injury

Another struggling reliever -- but one whose status is in no jeopardy -- is John Grabow, scored upon in three of his past four outings.

Given that he experienced elbow pain late last season and again this spring, it might be natural to wonder if he, like Salomon Torres, is seeing his performance affected by injury. But he insisted that is not the case.

"I feel fine. My arm feels fine," Grabow said. "I'm just not getting the job done the way I want to. We've been working on my mechanics on the side, and I'm not walking guys anymore the way I was earlier. Now, it's just a matter of pitch selection and executing."

Buried treasure

Utilityman Don Kelly, designated for assignment last week, cleared waivers and accepted an outright to Indianapolis.

Center fielder Chris Duffy did more running tests on his tight right hamstring in the afternoon, but he remained without a timetable to rejoin the lineup. Tracy described him as running at "85 percent."

Reliever John Wasdin will make his fifth rehabilitation start tomorrow for Indianapolis, an unusually long stint for a thumb that was sprained in mid-May. The Pirates must decide by July 2 what to do with Wasdin, who is still on their 40-man roster.

First baseman Adam Laroche's self-inflicted spiked hairdo was short-lived. It was gone by late Tuesday night, no doubt because he has family accompanying him on the trip.

The Los Angeles Angels' rotation for the upcoming series: Jered Weaver, Kelvim Escobar and John Lackey.