MILWAUKEE -- The Pirates rotation tonight will begin the long process of returning to normal when Phil Dumatrait starts against Houston.

The left-hander has been on the disabled list because of bursitis in his left shoulder and hasn't pitched since June 19.

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Minor-league report

Sunday's games

INDIANAPOLIS (42-49) lost to Columbus, 4-3, in 10 innings. RHP Jason Davis (4-9, 4.94) allowed one run and five hits in six innings. 1B Craig Wilson (.227) went 3 for 5. SS Brian Bixler (.264) hit his sixth home run, a two-run shot, and went 1 for 3. 3B Neil Walker (.230) went 0 for 5.

ALTOONA (37-50) lost to Harrisburg, 5-3. RHP Derek Hankins (1-6, 3.82) allowed four runs, two earned, and four hits in five innings. CF Chris Duffy (.292), back after missing five days because of his changed roster status, went 3 for 4 with a triple, double and sacrifice fly.

LYNCHBURG (39-48) lost to Frederick, 5-2. RHP Mike Crotta (7-6, 5.00) allowed three runs and eight hits in six innings. CF Alex Presley (.255) hit his fourth home run and went 2 for 4 with a double.

HICKORY (36-50) was off.

STATE COLLEGE (4-14) lost at Oneonta, 6-1. RHP William Kelly (0-1, 6.28) allowed five runs and seven hits in 3 1/3 innings. SS Andy Vazquez (.400) went 2 for 4.

BRADENTON (7-7) lost to the Red Sox, 3-0. RHP Ricardo Paulino (0-2, 4.24) allowed three runs and six hits in 4 2/3 innings. LF Edwin Roman (.206) went 2 for 3 with two steals.

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"I'm definitely ready to get back there and be part of the team again," Dumatrait said yesterday.

"It seems like when you're on the disabled list you spend all your time in the training room."

Dumatrait's final two starts before he went on the disabled list were poor. Perhaps that can be attributed to his shoulder problem.

"I didn't really feel [the bursitis] when I pitched," Dumatrait said. "I felt it during the week leading up, but on game day I didn't feel it. I don't think that's an excuse. I just didn't pitch well."

Dumatrait will take Tom Gorzelanny's spot on the 25-man roster.

The Pirates sent Gorzelanny to Class AAA Indianapolis Saturday. Gorzelanny's return -- whenever that may be -- will complete the rotation's return to normalcy.

Right-hander Ian Snell (elbow) is scheduled to come off the disabled list and start tomorrow night.

The Pirates can make room on the 25-man roster for him by returning first baseman/outfielder Steve Pearce to Indianapolis.

Gorzelanny start set

Gorzelanny is scheduled to make his first start for Indianapolis Saturday against Toledo.

As expected, he'll work in a controlled environment. He's scheduled to pitch three innings or throw 50 pitches, whichever he reaches first.

Tampa talk

Chris Gomez played for Tampa Bay for two of the worst seasons in that organization's history.

In 2001, Tampa Bay was 62-100. The next season, the team set a franchise record with 106 losses.

Now, the Rays lead the American League East and are the talk of baseball.

"There was always hope," Gomez said. "But I think you noticed [improvement] more as a visiting player [after his stint with the Rays].

"I think you could see a difference when the new ownership came in [after the 2005 season]. It's hard to put a finger on it, but it seemed after that they were going in the right direction.

"Seeing what they're doing is pretty amazing. I think a lot of people are looking for them to come back down to Earth, but with their team I don't think they're going to.

"They're for real, and I think a lot of people are rooting for them. I think it's a good story."

Lineup logistics

Zach Duke batted ninth yesterday, ending a run of five consecutive games in which the Pirates starting pitcher batted eighth.

The reason for the change yesterday was Raul Chavez starting at catcher. Chavez hardly can be considered a second leadoff man.

Jack Wilson batted ninth in the first four of those five games. Gomez batted ninth Friday when Wilson batted first.

The American way

He won't do it tonight, but manager John Russell could put four former American Leaguers in his lineup against former Kansas City Royal Runelvys Hernandez, who are a collective 14 for 28 against the right-hander.

Those four are Luis Rivas (6 for 13), Doug Mientkiewicz (4 for 8), Jason Michaels (3 for 5) and Gomez (1 for 2).

Buried treasure

• Right-handed reliever Franquelis Osoria, on the disabled list since June 27 with bursitis in his right ankle, is scheduled to begin a rehabilitation assignment with Indianapolis today.

• Attendance for this series was 122,802, which included the Brewers' 14th (Friday) and 15th (yesterday) sellouts this season.