The news: Pirates second baseman Freddy Sanchez, bothered by tendinitis and inflammation in his right rotator cuff, will be examined by Dr. James Andrews in Birmingham, Ala., tomorrow.

Andrews, a noted orthopedist, will give the Pirates a second opinion.

"We've done all we can," Sanchez said. "I'm hoping with a second opinion we can get to the bottom of this."

The pain Sanchez has felt in his shoulder is not related to the right shoulder surgery he had Sept. 28.

"The good news is that the area of surgery is fine," general manager Neal Huntington said. "That area is structurally sound. The not-so-good news is there's inflammation in Freddy's shoulder. We've treated it aggressively. We want a second opinion to make sure our course of action is solid."

Is there a chance Sanchez could begin the season on the disabled list?

"It's too early to say yes or no," Huntington said.

The Pirates could receive information from Andrews late tomorrow afternoon, although Huntington said it's more likely the information will arrive Tuesday. Sanchez will be back in Bradenton Tuesday.

Sanchez feels the pain only when he throws.

Meanwhile, center fielder Nate McLouth reported to McKechnie Field with strep throat. He received medication and left the ballpark to go to bed. First baseman Adam LaRoche was scheduled to play yesterday, but he was a scratch because of a sore right shin. He fouled a ball off that area in Friday's game.

The game: There wasn't any. Rain cancelled the Pirates' game against Tampa Bay in St. Petersburg. The teams played two innings in a steady drizzle that intensified after the bottom of the second inning. After a wait of about 30 minutes, umpire Jerry Crawford called the game.

The Pirates led, 2-0, getting run-scoring hits from Doug Mientkiewicz and Jose Bautista in the first inning. Zach Duke pitched two innings. A positive for the left-hander was getting out of a first-and-third situation with a double play begun by Jack Wilson in the first inning.

Today: The Pirates play the New York Yankees in Bradenton at 1:05. Paul Maholm is scheduled to start against the Yankees' Jeff Karstens.

Camp roster: The Pirates have 37 players in camp, including 20 pitchers, 2 catchers, 9 infielders and 6 outfielders. The Pirates got to 37 players yesterday by sending catchers Michel Hernandez and Raul Chavez to their minor-league camp.

Countdown to Atlanta: 8 days.