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Pirates Notebook: Nady frustrated by hamstring
Saturday, August 25, 2007
By Dejan Kovacevic, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

HOUSTON -- Outfielder Xavier Nady's hamstring has regressed to the point he had difficulty completing running drills yesterday at Minute Maid Park, and he was restricted to pinch-hitting duties for a second consecutive game.

That raised anew the issue as to whether or not the Pirates should place him on the disabled list, even if, for now, the official word is status quo.

"We'll keep monitoring it," manager Jim Tracy said. "It's day to day."

Nady is a fierce competitor, and the Pirates have accommodated him by keeping him active -- often just to pinch-hit -- despite the slight tear in his left hamstring that has knocked him out of the starting lineup at three different points this season.

At the same time, the frustration clearly is mounting for Nady. That was evident shortly after he came off the field yesterday, shaking his head and wondering about the next step. He made clear his desire to play out the final five weeks, but he also expressed worry about doing further damage.

"I'm not sure what to do," he said.

Nady has been one of the Pirates' best players, and his numbers -- .294 average, 17 home runs -- undoubtedly would be even better if not for the injury.

But, as Nady has discussed with the medical staff, the only way to address a hamstring issue of his severity is through several months of rest and rehabilitation. Any significant setback could threaten a full recovery by next spring training.

Duffy eyes surgery

Outfielder Chris Duffy soon could have surgery on his left shoulder.

The Pirates' opening-day center fielder, who learned yesterday that he has damage to his rotator cuff, will visit Dr. Lewis Yocum, team physician to the Los Angeles Angels, Wednesday in California.

That visit is scheduled to be a consultation, but Duffy has been dealing with trouble in that shoulder for nearly two years, one source said, and had been planning to explore surgery in the coming offseason for quite some time. Yocum, one of baseball's most respected surgeons, will advise him further.

GM: No Howard offer

General manager Dave Littlefield said yesterday, in his online Q&A session with readers on the Pirates' official site, that the Phillies never offered him eventual MVP Ryan Howard for Kris Benson in 2004, contrary to several published reports in Pittsburgh and Philadelphia over the years.

"The speculation on the Benson trade was not true," Littlefield said. "The Phillies had a tough choice deciding between two fine players in Howard and Jim Thome and, obviously, they decided to keep Howard."

That was not the only subject Littlefield addressed directly for the first time: He also said the Pirates are "not looking" to trade shortstop Jack Wilson but are "open-minded to any possibilities to improve the team." Previously, he answered questions about Wilson simply by reiterating that he does not discuss potential personnel moves.

Buried treasure

Starter Zach Duke threw a bullpen session yesterday in Bradenton, Fla., and remains on pace to make his next rehabilitation appearance Monday in the Gulf Coast League. He will be limited to 55-60 pitches.

Catcher Andrew Walker, the Pirates' fifth-round draft pick in June off to a .316 start with short-season State College, injured a wrist on a collision at the plate Thursday. It is not thought to be serious.

Matt Peterson, the closer at Class AA Altoona, was named to the Eastern League's year-ending All-Star team. Peterson, a 25-year-old right-hander in his first year of relief, had 25 saves and a 1.80 ERA.



First published at PG NOW on August 24, 2007 at 11:46 pm
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