On the day the Pirates acquired catcher Chris Snyder, it was clear Ryan Doumit took it hard. He thought he might have lost his position, as well as his everyday status.

Several weeks later, it is clear that neither really is the case.

Doumit has started 30 of the team's 36 games since then, including Wednesday night. There has been more time at catcher than in right field, with 12 starts at the latter.

And, after a sluggish early going in August after recovering from his latest concussion, he has played mostly well, too: He has reached base safely in 14 of 16 games and, over the past 11, is on a .361 tear -- 13 for 36 -- with two home runs and seven walks. Moreover, his defense has improved, notably behind the plate.

"Ryan's responded well, swinging the bat, and I think we've got a pretty good combo now with him and Chris back there," manager John Russell said. "It is a juggling act at times, but Ryan ... I think he's played really hard these last few weeks, really gotten after it. I'm happy for him, I really am."

Doumit's take?

"In my mind, I'm an everyday player. I've always been that," he said. "It's awesome that it's worked out for me like this, but it's what I expected."

And has less time behind the plate helped him, especially given the concussion history?

"It's nice playing the outfield. It's easier on the body, on the legs, on the head. It's an easier position, less demanding than catcher. And I've been enjoying my time out there."

It remains to be seen how sustainable this scenario is.

Snyder is guaranteed $5.75 million next year, Doumit $5.1 million. That could be viewed as having roughly a quarter of payroll tied up in the catchers, though general manager Neal Huntington's view is that the figure is much lower because the Arizona Diamondbacks' $3 million payment in the Snyder trade technically counts toward next year's payroll. Huntington has said a trade is not a given.

Third baseman Andy LaRoche was recognized in a pregame ceremony as the Pirates' nominee for Major League Baseball's Roberto Clemente Award, which goes to a player who exemplifies dedication in the community combined with on-field performance. Vera Clemente, Roberto Clemente Jr. and Luis Clemente participated in the ceremony.

LaRoche has been passionately involved in charity efforts since his arrival in Pittsburgh, but he also has struggled immensely at the plate, his average at .209, including one hit in his past 21 at-bats, 11 in his past 87 at-bats.

"I haven't been doing anything at the plate," he said. "I'm trying to get the pinch-hitting thing down. I've been doing it for a couple months, getting to the routine, feeling comfortable ... I feel like I'm just going up there and trying to make adjustments instead of being aggressive."

• Class AA Altoona reliever Ramon Aguero, a member of the 40-man roster, was cleared of any ligament damage in his sore right elbow after an exam Tuesday. He was diagnosed with a strained flexor muscle and will be shut down, probably until the winter.

• The late-innings entry Wednesday night of newcomers Brandon Moss, Alex Presley and Pedro Ciriaco raised the Pirates' number of players used this season to 50, a franchise record. The previous mark of 49 was set in 1987 and 2001.

• With John Bowker getting the start in right, Lastings Milledge was out of the lineup for a fourth consecutive game.

• In recognition of Atlanta manager Bobby Cox's final game in Pittsburgh, the Pirates presented him with a check for $5,000 toward his charity of choice, the Homeless Pets Foundation. Cox ended up 57-56 against the Pirates.

Colin Dunlap's blog on the Pirates is featured exclusively on PG+, a members-only web site from the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Our introduction to PG+ gives you all the details.