After each game, Freddy Sanchez can be found with his right shoulder wrapped in ice.

The Pirates second baseman is still feeling the effects of shoulder surgery performed last September, he said Sunday before the game with Atlanta Braves was rained out and rescheduled as part of a doubleheader Monday.

"It's better than it was in spring training but it still hurts," Sanchez said. "I'm still not throwing as well as I know I can. It's had an effect."

Sanchez's defense has suffered as he has already been charged with five errors in 35 games this season. Last year, he made only nine errors in 146 games.

The pain in Sanchez's shoulder has increased since making an awkward relay throw in a game at Washington 10 days ago.

"It's killing me but I'm going out there and playing through it," Sanchez said. "Luckily, it's not to the point where it's affecting my offense. I still feel fine swinging the bat and that's the main thing."

Sanchez is 9-for-21 in five games since being moved up one spot to leadoff in the batting order, lifting his batting average from .222 to .254. The Pirates are 5-0 in those games.

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