MILWAUKEE -- In addition to the September callups coming next week, the Pirates are considering bringing a couple of prospects to Pittsburgh to work out with the team and get a taste of the Major League Baseball environment.

Last year, two prospects, outfielder Andrew McCutchen and third baseman Neil Walker, received such a summons.

This year, the top candidates are pitcher Brad Lincoln, outfielder Jose Tabata and Walker, all at Class AAA Indianapolis, though Walker also has played his way into serious consideration for a more conventional callup: A .344 August surge has raised his overall numbers to .262 with 12 home runs and 64 RBIs.

General manager Neal Huntington, attending the series this weekend at Miller Park, did not divulge names but did acknowledge he and director of player development Kyle Stark are considering possibilities.

Lincoln, the Pirates' top pitching prospect, is 5-2 with a 5.20 ERA in two months since being promoted to Indianapolis.

Tabata, the No. 2 position-player prospect behind Pedro Alvarez, has batted .303 with three home runs in his first month with Indianapolis.

It was going to take more than a line drive to Luis Cruz's head to keep him from playing.

Cruz, filling in at shortstop a fifth time in the six games Ronny Cedeno has missed to a fractured pinky, was struck on the upper left side of his head by a Garrett Jones drive during batting practice about an hour before the first pitch. He was momentarily felled but, after athletic trainer Mike Sandoval rushed to the field, he needed no more than three minutes to resume taking grounders.

Small wonder.

"I'm happy to be getting a chance," Cruz said, "and I hope to prove myself so I can get a job next year."

Cruz has been with the parent club since July 10 but made only two starts before this week. He remains a light hitter, but his defense was called "very good" by manager John Russell.

Often during Cruz's initial stint in late 2008, his exuberance translated into clear nervousness.

"I feel more comfortable," Cruz said. "Remember how I was the first time? How excited? This just feels different."

• Cedeno said his finger is "much better" and that he could return tonight. His main issue is taking grounders that require both hands.

• Paul Maholm will start one game of the doubleheader Monday in Cincinnati. Still no word on the other.

• Russell, on the difference between Matt Capps blowing a save Tuesday and earning one Thursday: "His command and angle were both better. The velocity was the same, but the shape and angle of the pitches looked much better. And that comes from getting work."