28-year old righty reliever Joel Hanrahan will likely miss the start of the 2010 season as he has a strained right elbow. Hanrahan pitched in 33 games (0 starts) for the Pirates last season after coming over from the Nationals in a trade last season and he was 0-1 with a 1.72 ERA and a 1.37 WHIP. Hanrahan only gave up 23 hits in 31 1/3 for the Pirates and he whiffed 37 batters showing that he has great stuff. The Pirates have loaded up in the bullpen this winter so look for the veterans to cushion the blow of the team not having Hanrahan when the season starts.

The Pirates have placed starting catcher Ryan Doumit on the 15-day disabled list with a fractured right wrist. Doumit has played in 12 games for the Pirates so far this season and he is 11 for 45 (.244 avg, .738 OPS) with 5 runs scored, 2 homers and 9 RBIs. This is a huge loss for the Pirates as Doumit’s replacements don’t have much thunder in their bats. Jason Jaramillo will take over as the starting catcher while Doumit is out. Jaramillo has played in 5 games for the Pirates so far this season and he is 4 for 14 (.286 avg, .690 OPS) with 1 run scored and 1 RBI. The Pirates have recalled Robinzon Diaz to replace Doumit on the active roster and he will serve as Jaramillo’s backup. He has played in 6 games in AAA-ball this season and he is 7 for 20 (.350 avg, .781 OPS) with 2 runs scored and 3 RBIs.

Outfielder Brandon Moss injured his knee and it ended his season early. He could need surgery on the knee which will cause him to be inactive for the next 4-6 weeks. Moss played in 45 games for the Pirates after coming over in the Jason Bay trade with the Red Sox and he was 35 for 158 (.222 avg, .712 OPS) with 12 runs scored, 6 homers and 23 RBIs. Moss played in 79 games overall with the Red Sox and Pirates this season and he was 58 for 236 (.246 avg) with 19 runs scored, 8 homers and 34 RBIs. Moss will have to play better for the Pirates next season if he wants to nail down a starting job in 2009.

The 2008 season has finally ended for shortstop Jack Wilson due to a hairline fracture in his right index finger. Wilson played in 81 games this season for the Pirates and he was 82 for 299 (.274 avg, .665 OPS) with 24 runs scored, 1 homer and 22 RBIs. Wilson stayed a Pirate all season long despite rampant rumors about him getting shipped to the Tigers or Dodgers. Wilson was banged up most of the season and he will hope that 2009 will be a healthy one for him.

The Pirates have lost lefty starting pitcher Phil Dumatrait for the season after he recently had surgery to repair his left shoulder. Dumatrait pitched in 21 games (11 starts) this season for the Pirates and he was 3-4 with a 5.26 ERA and a 1.58 WHIP. He pitched much better than he did last season as a rookie for the Reds so he might have a future with the Pirates.