Sunday, February 13, 2011

The Opening Bell Rings...

Thirty-eight of the club's forty-one pitchers and catcher required to report to Pirate City by the end of the day are signed in. Still missing as of early afternoon were pitchers Jose Veras, Jose Ascanio and Cesar Valdez. What makes us think visa problems, lol? (Although showing up fashionably late may also be the reason; we'll see soon.) EDIT - Veras and Valdez were fashionably late; Venezuelan Ascanio has visa problems and is expected in camp Tuesday or Wednesday.

Not much drama this year. The lineup is set, and the battles are for a fifth starter, closer, bridge bullpen arms, and a couple of bench spots. Here's the link to the official list of non-roster invitees.

Kristy Robinson of Hands Off My Pirates Booty blog tweeted the only hard news so far: "Jeff Clement has been removed from the list of non-roster invitees -- he's still recovering from surgery and will report to Minor League camp."

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