BRADENTON, Fla. -- The No. 9 was the same, and so was the laugh, but Bill Mazeroski needed a different uniform before beginning his annual tutorial for middle infielders yesterday.
Mazeroski checked into camp at a svelte 215 pounds, 65 pounds lighter than he was a year ago. The difference was so striking that some people had a hard time recognizing him.
"I just decided it was time," Mazeroski said. "It wasn't easy. No gimmicks. I did it the old-fashioned way. I quit eating."
Manager Lloyd McClendon asked Mazeroski to stay in camp for 3 1/2 weeks to work with the infielders. And he intends to put him to use.
"He's not just a figurehead. He has so much to impart, we wanted him to stay around for as long as he could," McClendon said.
A lot to do
The workout lasted for 3 1/2 hours, and hitters stepped in for the first time against pitchers who have been in camp for a week. That's a tough chore, but McClendon wants to get his pitchers ready for exhibition games that begin Tuesday against a Korean team that works out at Pirate City.
"It was a long day but pretty productive. I thought it went pretty good," McClendon said. "Guys worked hard. They gave us what they had today. Pitchers threw well off the mound to the hitters. It was good day."
House returns to work
J.R. House resumed his catching duties and took batting practice after receiving an anti-inflammatory shot for a muscle tear on the inside of his abdominal wall. House, one of the Pirates' top prospects, was injured lifting weights about six weeks ago and aggravated it at camp last week.
Ramirez upbeat, ready
Aramis Ramirez played in about 10 games of winter ball in his native Dominican Republic, which gave him about 40 to 50 at-bats as a tuneup for spring training.
"Just to get in some swings. I can't wait to get started," he said.
Ramirez provided a bright spot last season, hitting .300 with 34 home runs and 112 RBI. He also made 25 errors in 158 games. This year, the focus will be on improving his defense. And he must prove he can put up those same kinds of offensive numbers.
"I'm working for it. I know I can do it," Ramirez said. "I know I'm going to be the starting third baseman. I also want to work hard. I don't want to get too confident. I want to prove that last year wasn't lucky."
Hyzdu back, healthy
The effects of last year carried well into the off-season for Adam Hyzdu. He was hit on the left hand by a pitch in the final series with the Chicago Cubs, and the hand was still store in November.
Although initial X-rays revealed no breaks, Hyzdu went to a specialist for tests, which showed some broken bones. He had surgery to correct the problem.
"It just wasn't getting any better, so I figured I better have it checked," said Hyzdu, who is in camp as a non-roster invitee.
Pirates Notebook: Lighter, svelter Maz works with infielders 
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