32-year old lefty Javier Lopez was given a invitation to spring training with no guarantees. He pitched well enough in spring training to win a job in the Pirates’ pen and he has been solid for them so far. Lopez has pitched in 17 games (0 starts) for the Pirates so far this season and he is 1-0 with a 2.25 ERA and a 1.13 WHIP. Lopez has only given up 11 hits in 16 innings pitched this season but he has walked 7 batters and that is too many. Lopez could be a trade chip if the Pirates fall out of contention or he could be a asset to the pen if they somehow contend for a playoff spot (very unlikely).

29-year old lefty swinging RF/1B Garrett Jones is a very streaky hitter for the Pirates and he is hot right now. Jones has played in 39 games for the Pirates this season and he is 39 of 142 (.275 avg, .810 OPS) with 17 runs scored, 5 homers and 29 RBIs. The Pirates are glad that Jones can play more than one position as they will likely have to keep moving him around especially if they start calling guys up from the minors. The hope is that Jones will give them 30+ homers and 100+ RBIs this season.

23-year old lefty swinging 3B Pedro Alvarez is the Pirates’ #1 prospect according to Baseball America and he’s getting closer to Pittsburgh by the minute. Alvarez has played in 33 games in AAA-ball so far this season and he is 32 of 125 (.256 avg, .847 OPS) with 19 runs scored, 8 homers and 32 RBIs. He has now played in 159 games in his two years in the minors and he is 166 of 590 (.281 avg, .900 OPS) with 99 runs scored, 35 homers and 127 RBIs. If the Pirates fall out of contention by the end of June I expect them to call up Alvarez and start him at 3B.

29-year old lefty starter/reliever Brian Burres has pitching pitching decent ball for the Pirates so far this season. Burres has pitched in 6 games (3 starts) for the Pirates so far this year and he is 2-1 with a 3.91 ERA and a 1.52 WHIP. Burres has walked 14 batters in 23 innings and he will need to tighten his control if he’s going to stay with the Pirates. I have my doubts that Burres is going to maintain his current level of pitching as his career tells a much different story about his abilities. Burres has pitched in 87 games (44 starts) in his major league career and he is 15-21 with a 5.91 ERA and a 1.67 WHIP.

The Pirates have designated 28-year old righty reliever Brian Bass for assignment. He pitched in 3 games (0 starts) for the Pirates this season and he was 0-0 with a 12.79 ERA and a 2.69 WHIP. Bass gave up 9 hits and he walked 8 batters in only 6 1/3 innings so he more than deserved to have to get a new address. The Pirates have activated 27-year old righty starting pitcher Ross Ohlendorf off the D.L. to replace Bass on the pitching staff. Ohlendorf has started 1 game for the Pirates this season and he is 0-0 with a 3.60 ERA and a 1.40 WHIP. He also started 1 game on his rehab assignment in AA working 4 shutout innings allowing only 3 hits and 1 walk while whiffing six batters. The Pirates’ starting rotation has been in shambles and they hope the Ohlendorf will help them.