Doumit endured wrist surgery and a concussion en route to a disappointing 2009 season in which he hit .250/.299/.414.

Spin: As the lone positional veteran that didn't get traded in 2009, Doumit seemed to struggle putting aside his emotions after vets like Jack Wilson, Freddy Sanchez and John Grabow were dealt. After an offseason of rest, however, Doumit figures to rebound with a fresh start in 2010. It wouldn't be surprising to see the team move Doumit prior to spring training, but his value is low after a trying 2009.Thu, Oct 15

Doumit endured wrist surgery and a concussion en route to a disappointing 2009 season in which he hit .250/.299/.414.

Spin: As the lone positional veteran that didn't get traded in 2009, Doumit seemed to struggle putting aside his emotions after vets like Jack Wilson, Freddy Sanchez and John Grabow were dealt. After an offseason of rest, however, Doumit figures to rebound with a fresh start in 2010. It wouldn't be surprising to see the team move Doumit prior to spring training, but his value is low after trying 2009.Thu, Oct 15

The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette's Dejan Kovacevic reports Pittsburgh Pirates general manager Neal Huntington said C Ryan Doumit's concussion is mild and is no threat to add to his history.

Pirates.MLB.com's Jenifer Langosch reports Pittsburgh Pirates C Robinzon Diaz will be out of minor league options in 2010.

News: The Pirates have promoted right-hander Eric Hacker, shortstop Brian Bixler and catcher Robinzon Diaz from Triple-A Indianapolis. Left-hander Donnie Veal also returned Tuesday to the Pirates from a rehabilitation assignment at Double-A Altoona. He went on the 15-day DL on Aug. 7 with a sprained index finger.

Analysis: Diaz hit .295 with one homer and 18 RBI in 31 games with Pittsburgh this season. He is nothing more than a low-end reserve backstop for the Pirates and the deepest of NL-only leagues

Pirates recalled catcher Robinzon Diaz from Triple-A Indianapolis. Diaz, 25, will serve as an emergency catcher for the Pirates over the regular season's final few weeks. He hit .268/.308/.349 with three home runs and 15 RBI in 149 at-bats for Indy this season.

Pirates.MLB.com's Jenifer Langosch reports Pittsburgh Pirates 1B Garrett Jones hit .330 with the bases empty and was just 10-for-66 (.152) with runners in scoring position in 2009.

On July 1st, the following scrolled across the transaction wire:Pittsburgh Pirates purchased the contract of outfielder Garrett Jones from Indianapolis of the International League (AAA).Few, if any, in the baseball community so much as batted an eye. After all, Jones was a 28 year-old minor league slugger, a guy on the low end of the [...]

Jones hit his 21st homer and stole his 10th base of the season on Monday.

Spin: Jones went 2-for-5 to raise his season average to .305. With 295 official at-bats, Jones may have a tough time winning the NL rookie of the year award, but he's cemented a starting spot with the Bucs for 2010. Whether he plays in the outfield or first base likely depends upon what moves the team makes in the offseason.Mon, Sep 28

Young figures to return to a bench role following the Pirates' acquisition of second baseman Aki Iwamura, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

Spin: Young batted .316 as a pinch-hitter but stumbled offensively after becoming the team's everyday second baseman, finishing with a .224/.276/.332 line.Thu, Nov 5

News: The Pirates traded for Akinori Iwamura on Tuesday, installing him as the everyday second baseman. Former Dodgers utilityman Delwyn Young filled in at second base after Friday Sanchez was traded, but struggled defensively and slumped badly at the plate late in the season. The Pirates' top second base prospect, Chase d'Arnaud, isn't close to being ready for the majors.

Analysis: Young has pop in his bat, but he is nothing more than a reserve for the deepest of NL-only leagues at this point. His at-bats will come as a pinch-hitter or part-time outfielder for the most part. D'Arnaud is a solid prospect long term, perhaps, but he doesn't project to make an impact in 2010 at this point

The Pirates' trade for Aki Iwamura likely closes out any opportunity Young had to play every day in 2010. Iwamura will be the starter at second base.

Spin: Young finished the season in an offensive tailspin, perhaps prompting the Pirates to make this trade. His defense wasn't going to win him the job, most certainly.Tue, Nov 3

Vazquez posted a line of .230/.335/.279 in 2009 after signing a two-year, $4 million contract with the Pirates.

Spin: The team has one more season paying the replaceable middle infielder who came off a career season before signing with Pittsburgh last offseason. The only real positive Vazquez delivered was that his presence meant that the team didn't have to play Brian Bixler quite so often.Thu, Oct 15

News: From The Sports Xchange notes: Ramon Vazquez underwent an MRI on his right knee that showed no structural damage, and he is available to be used off the bench. Vazquez said he has been feeling pain in the knee since early August.

Analysis: Vazquez is nothing more than a low-end reserve for the Pirates and the deepest of NL-only leagues down the stretch

An MRI of Vazquez's right knee showed no structural damage, according to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

Spin: Vazquez has been slowed by a sore knee for the last six weeks. The utility infielder will likely be limited mostly to pinch-hitting duty and spot duty in the field.Tue, Sep 22

Jenifer Langosch, of MLB.com, reports Pittsburgh Pirates 3B Neil Walker will play winter ball in Venezuela in the offseason.

Walker has one hit in 10 at-bats since taking over for Andy LaRoche (illness) three games ago.

Spin:

Walker has one hit in 10 at-bats since taking over for Andy LaRoche (illness) three games ago.

Spin: Walker stranded four baserunners in San Diego's 4-0 shutout of the Bucs on Sunday. The Pittsburgh native has a small window of opportunity and has yet to take advantage of it.Mon, Sep 21

News: The Pirates have promoted right-hander Eric Hacker, shortstop Brian Bixler and catcher Robinzon Diaz from Triple-A Indianapolis. Left-hander Donnie Veal also returned Tuesday to the Pirates from a rehabilitation assignment at Double-A Altoona. He went on the 15-day DL on Aug. 7 with a sprained index finger.

Analysis: Bixler was called up despite striking out 23 times in 33 at-bats and batting .212 during two previous call-ups with the Pirates this season. He is nothing more than a low-end reserve shortstop for the Pirates and the deepest of NL-only leagues

CBSSports.com reports the Pittsburgh Pirates recalled SS Brian Bixler, P Eric Hacker and C Robinzon Diaz from the minors Tuesday, Sept. 8.

MLB.com is reporting that the Pirates have recalled Brian Bixler from Triple-A Indianapolis. Bixler is hitting .212 in 33 at-bats with the team this season.

Our View: With the Triple-A season ending Monday for Indy, the Pirates are adding a few players for depth. Bixler hasn't been able to do much at the plate with the Pirates this season, and he is not expected to see much playing time this time around.

The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette's Dejan Kovacevic reports Pittsburgh Pirates manager John Russell hinted that OF Brandon Moss will be on the bench next year. "Brandon realizes the opportunity he had here and that he didn't take advantage of it," Russell said. "He also knows the opportunity may not be as large next time. He's going to have to show us something. Now, that doesn't mean he has to hit .450 in the spring, but he does have to make some adjustments."

Moss could see his role reduced to that as a bench player in 2010, according to manager John Russell, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

Spin: "Brandon realizes the opportunity he had here and that he didn't take advantage of it," Russell said. "He also knows the opportunity may not be as large next time. He's going to have to show us something." Moss entered the 2009 campaign as the Pirates player most likely to break out, according to an informal polling of his teammates. Instead, Moss endured several agonizingly painful slumps and has batted .204 (38-for-186) since June.Sun, Oct 4

Brandon Moss will not compete for a starting job in 2010, manager John Russell said. "Brandon realizes the opportunity he had here and that he didn't take advantage of it," said Russell. Russell went on to say that even a bench role is not guaranteed for Moss. It's a disappointing slide for the former Boston farmhand who came over in the Jason Bay trade. If Moss doesn't play Sunday, he finishes 2009 at .235/.300/.363 in 383 at-bats with seven home runs.Source: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

News: Pittsburgh OF Lastings Milledge went 2 for 4 on Friday with his 4th home run of the season. It was a solo shot and he's batting .285 for the year.

Analysis: Milledge has two hits in three straight games for the Pirates as he's trying to end his season on a high note. Milledge has long-term potential, but he is nothing more than a deeper NL-only option at this point

Milledge raised his batting average to .299 (in 211 at-bats) with Pittsburgh, going 2-for-4 for the third straight time on Friday.

Spin: Initially, Milledge looked like a potential bust after coming over from Washington. Two months later, Milledge has nearly cemented a spot in the Pirates' outfield heading into 2010. He still needs to work on plenty of details, such as route running in the outfield and consistency at the plate, but the 24-year-old is showing enough signs to make him a late-round fantasy sleeper next spring.Sat, Oct 3

Milledge went 2-for-4 with a home run and a steal in the Pirates' win over the Reds Saturday.

Spin: The home run was only his fourth in 211 at-bats, but Saturday was just another flash of Milledge's power/speed combo that always lands him on sleeper lists.Fri, Oct 2

Young figures to return to a bench role following the Pirates' acquisition of second baseman Aki Iwamura, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

Spin: Young batted .316 as a pinch-hitter but stumbled offensively after becoming the team's everyday second baseman, finishing with a .224/.276/.332 line.Thu, Nov 5

News: The Pirates traded for Akinori Iwamura on Tuesday, installing him as the everyday second baseman. Former Dodgers utilityman Delwyn Young filled in at second base after Friday Sanchez was traded, but struggled defensively and slumped badly at the plate late in the season. The Pirates' top second base prospect, Chase d'Arnaud, isn't close to being ready for the majors.

Analysis: Young has pop in his bat, but he is nothing more than a reserve for the deepest of NL-only leagues at this point. His at-bats will come as a pinch-hitter or part-time outfielder for the most part. D'Arnaud is a solid prospect long term, perhaps, but he doesn't project to make an impact in 2010 at this point

The Pirates' trade for Aki Iwamura likely closes out any opportunity Young had to play every day in 2010. Iwamura will be the starter at second base.

Spin: Young finished the season in an offensive tailspin, perhaps prompting the Pirates to make this trade. His defense wasn't going to win him the job, most certainly.Tue, Nov 3

The Pirates have promoted Ray Searage to the position of pitching coach. Searage carried the same role for the past two seasons at Triple-A Indianapolis and at several lower levels before then. The Pirates fired pitching coach Jeff Andrews in late September after his staff posted a 4.59 team ERA during the season. He was on the Bucs for just one year.Source: Associated Press

The Pirates have promoted Ray Searage to the position of pitching coach. Searage carried the same role for the past two seasons at Triple-A Indianapolis and at several lower levels before then. The Pirates fired pitching coach Jeff Andrews in late September after the staff posted a 4.59 team ERA during the season. He was on the Bucs for just one year.Source: Associated Press

The Pirates have promoted Ray Searage to the position of pitching coach. Searage carried the same role for the past two seasons at Triple-A Indianapolis and at several lower levels before then. The Pirates fired pitching coach Jeff Andrews in late September after the staff posted a 4.59 team ERA. He was on the team for just one season.Source: Associated Press

Morton hurled a complete-game shutout against the Cubs on Wednesday, striking out eight batters in a 4-0 win.

Spin: The righty, who gave up just four hits and three walks, had all four of his pitches working. Few could have predicted the outing, especially after he allowed 10 runs in one inning the last time he pitched in Wrigley Field. Morton's now had three straight decent starts and likely has a leg up on the competition for the team's No. 4 pitching spot in the 2010 rotation.Thu, Oct 1

News: Drawing on his previous Wrigley Field experience, Charlie Morton knew exactly what not to do. Don't fall behind batters, don't pitch timidly, don't panic. And this time, he didn't. Seven weeks after getting lit up for 10 runs by the Cubs, Morton pitched a four-hitter as the Pittsburgh Pirates defeated Chicago 4-0 Wednesday in the first game of a doubleheader. "I try not to put so much emphasis on one game," he said of his performance in the 17-2 loss on Aug. 14. "But it's a big step in the sense that, yeah, I came here and gave up 10 runs in an inning. "This time ... I was throwing pretty much everything for strikes, more than I have been. Just being more aggressive with my pitches." Morton (5-9), a 25-year-old right-hander who hadn't pitched more than seven innings in a game, also set a career high with eight strikeouts. Acquired in the June 3 trade that sent Nate McLouth to Atlanta, he walked three and hit two batters.

Analysis: Morton certainly struggled this season and he still only won three of his final 10 decisions. Of course, he was pitching for one of the worst teams in baseball. He'll be a sleeper next season for the Pirates as a young starter hoping to build on a solid finale

Charlie Morton notched his first career complete-game shutout Wednesday in the first game of the doubleheader against the Cubs. A modest change from his previous start against the Cubs. In that one, he was charged with 10 runs in one-plus innings as part of a 17-2 loss on Aug. 14. Morton's season is over at 5-9 with a 4.55 ERA. A strong finish that saw him allowed eight runs over his final 29 innings will put him in better position when he competes for a rotation spot next spring.

After winning three of four games with the Cubs, Hart proceeded to lose eight of nine decisions with Pittsburgh in 2009.

Spin: The Pirates acquired Hart, Jose Ascanio and Josh Harrison for John Grabow and Tom Gorzelanny in a midseason trade. Hart gave up 74 hits and 26 walks in 53 innings for a 6.92 ERA. The Bucs need him to gain consistency with his mid-90s heater.Thu, Oct 15

After winning three of four games with the Cubs, Hart proceeded to lose eight of nine decisions with Pittsburgh in 2009.

Spin: The Pirates acquired Hart, Jose Ascanio and Josh Harrison for John Grabow and Tom Gorzelanny in a mid-season trade. Hart gave up 74 hits and 26 walks in 53 innings for a 6.92 ERA. The Bucs need to him gain consistency with his mid-90s heater.Thu, Oct 15

After winning three of four games with the Cubs, Hart proceeded to lose eight of nine decisions with Pittsburgh in 2009.

Spin: The Pirates acquired Hart, Jose Ascanio and Josh Harrison for John Grabow and Tom Gorzelanny in a mid-season trade. Hart gave up 74 hits and 26 walks in 53 innings for a 6.92 ERA, but the Bucs need to him gain consistency with his mid-90s heater.Thu, Oct 15

Braves.MLB.com's Mark Bowman reports the Atlanta Braves may be interested in trading for Pittsburgh Pirates CL Matt Capps.

News: Pirates closer Matt Capps recorded his first save of October and 27th of the season at Cincinnati on Friday, allowing one hit and recording one strikeout in one scoreless inning. He had only two saves in September.

Analysis: Capps isn't as bad as he's looked at times this season, posting a 5.80 ERA and 1.66 WHIP, but you can't count on him for consistent saves since he pitches for the Pirates. His struggles will make him a No. 3 Fantasy RP entering 2010, but he has the ability to improve from there

The Associated Press reports Pittsburgh Pirates RP Matt Capps earned his 27th save of the season Friday, Oct. 2.

Thr Pittsburgh Post-Gazette is reporting that Phil Dumatrait will not make his scheduled start on Monday since he was used in relief last night. The team will likely recall a pitcher from the minors to make the start.

Our View: Dumatrait was scheduled to pitch one of the games in the Pirates' double-header, but it looks like the team will instead go with either Virgil Vasquez or Eric Hacker. It looks like Dumatrait will pitch predominantly out of the bullpen for the rest of the season, so no need to give him a look unless he moves into the rotation at some point. Even then, probably not worth it.

Phil Dumatrait will not start the first game of the twinbill Monday. Dumatrait pitched in relief Saturday, knocking him out of consideration for the start. The Pirates will have to recall a pitcher, likely either Eric Hacker or Virgil Vazquez.Source: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Dumatrait could make some starts in September, GM Neal Huntington said Sunday on his weekly radio show.

Spin: It's already thought that Dumatrait is in the running for a start in the doubleheader in Cincinnati on August 31. Huntington didn't sound too concerned about moving his only experienced left-handed reliever out of the pen.Sun, Aug 23

Jeff Karstens pitched on short rest on Sunday and lasted only 2.1 innings as the Pirates fell to the Reds 6-0. Karstens allowed two runs on four hits while walking one and striking out two.

Our View: Karstens didn't pitch all that badly today, but the team didn't feel the need to stretch him on three-days rest. He finished the season with a 5.42 ERA and a 4-6 record.

Karstens didn't make it beyond five innings in any of his final three starts despite never throwing more than 61 pitches. It's odd considering he lasted at least six frames in five of his first 10 starts from April 16 - June 5. Ultimately, Karstens showed his lack of dependability, evidenced by his 4-5 record, 5.42 ERA and 1.48 WHIP.

Jeff Karstens lasted just 2 1/3 innings and gave up two runs in a loss to the Reds on Sunday. Karstens gave up four hits, walked one, and struck out two. Karstens final line of the season includes a 5.42 ERA, 1.48 WHIP, and a poor 52/45 K/BB in 108 innings spread over 26 relief appearances and 13 starts. He won't be a fantasy option next year, but the Pirates will continue to groom him and hope they have something. The loss means the Pirates finish at 62-99, avoiding a 100-loss season thanks to a rainout. On the plus side, the Pirates will have the second pick in the June draft.

Virgil Vasquez has been designated for assignment by the Pirates, according to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. He was assigned to Triple-A Indianapolis.

Our View: Vasquez split the 2009 campaign between the Pirates and Triple-A. He held a 2-5 record and a 5.84 ERA over 14 appearances with Pittsburgh, seven as a starter. He was 7-4 with a 3.93 ERA over 19 outings (all starts) for Indianapolis.

Pirates sent RHP Virgil Vasquez, RHP Eric Hacker and catcher Steve Lerud outright to Triple-A Indianapolis. All three are now off the Pirates' 40-man roster. Vasquez posted a 5.84 ERA and 1.70 WHIP in 14 appearances (seven starts) this season.

News: The Pirates have recalled SP Virgil Vasquez.

Analysis: Vasquez is 2-5 with a 6.09 in seven 2009 starts for Pittsburgh. There is no room for him in the Pirates rotation right now, so he will at best have minimal value in NL-only Rotisserie leagues that use true middle men

The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette's Dejan Kovacevic reports Pittsburgh Pirates RP Jose Ascanio (shoulder) will be out until at least June after shoulder surgery.

Pirates GM Neal Huntington said Sunday that Jose Ascanio (shoulder surgery) won't return until early June of 2010, at the earliest. Ascanio underwent surgery on Friday afternoon to repair a torn labrum in his right shoulder, and probably shouldn't be counted on in 2010. The procedure was performed by Dr. James Andrews, a renowned orthopedist who works on the best of the best, but some recoveries simply take a long time.Source: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Jose Ascanio underwent surgery to repair a torn labrum in his right shoulder today, according to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

Our View: The famous Dr. James Andrews performed the surgery, and the Pirates are optimistic that the 24-year-old reliever will be recovered in time for the start of spring training.