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Spring Synopsis: Updates, news and notes from Bradenton

Spring Synopsis: Updates, news and notes from Bradenton

BRADENTON, Fla. -- Notes, quotes and anecdotes from the Pirates' spring training ...

Day 7: Yesterday's workout lasted roughly four hours, though only a handful of Pirates were on the fields that long. Seventeen pitchers threw batting practice -- 17 live pitches, two rounds apiece after warming up -- to 21 of the position players. It was a sunny but windy day, and temperatures rose from 51 to 61 during the workout.

Up next: Nine pitchers, including Paul Maholm, Zach Duke and Tom Gorzelanny, throw live batting practice today as part of a three-hour scheduled workout that also includes the team-wide fundamental du jour -- rundowns.

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Camp roster: There are 57 Pirates competing in camp -- 28 pitchers, 6 catchers and 23 position players. Two catchers were called up to help with the pitch-handling load: minor-leaguers Milver Reyes of Class AA Altoona and Craig Parry, a 50th-round draft pick in June.

Injury update: Maybe the Pirates should quarantine third base. Pine-Richland's Neil Walker, with an intestinal ailment, was rendered a spectator along with incumbent starting third baseman Andy LaRoche, who felt well enough to watch but not participate because of his recovering back. Manager John Russell said the younger LaRoche is improving: "Much better. He came along really well from what it was." Also, pitcher Virgil Vasquez sat out because of arm soreness.

Camp competition: Such third-base aches and pains create a bit of an Abbott-and-Costello quandary -- who's on third? Behind LaRoche, Walker and No. 2 overall selection Pedro Alvarez have been rotating daily for infield drills, though the big leaguers next in line appear to be utility infielders Ramon Vazquez and Luis Cruz, who spent 22 games with the Pirates last season. The absence of the younger LaRoche and Walker yesterday caused outfielder-infielder Eric Hinske to make his first appearance this spring at third base in infield drills and the full-team session on bunt-fielding plays.

Fun in the sun: Befitting the Pittsburgh-area forecast, maybe we should rename this "Fun in the snow." Today, the Pirates will serve as host to what they're calling an "On-Sale" event at PNC Park between 10 a.m.-2 p.m. for fans coming to the ballpark to purchase tickets. Among the activities are question-and-answer sessions with Pirates president Frank Coonelly and autograph sessions with such ex-Pirates as Rick Reuschel, Grant Jackson and Bob Friend. ... Starting with the Pirates-Phillies game at 1 p.m. Wednesday, FSN Pittsburgh will air 125 games this season, including one other exhibition.

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Overheard: With a runner on second base in the team bunt-fielding drill, catcher Ryan Doumit from the sidelines called pitcher Sean Burnett for a balk and yelled, "Take third."

Meet me in St. Louis: 45 days until the opener.

First Published: February 21, 2009, 5:00 a.m.

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