--RHP John Van Benschoten will get a spot start Monday in the second game of a doubleheader against Atlanta that was necessitated by Sunday's rainout. Van Benschoten has gone 0-1 with a 4.91 ERA in three relief appearances since being recalled from Class AAA Indianapolis on April 27. He was 4-0 with a 1.88 ERA in four starts in the minor leagues.
--LHP Phil Dumatrait, originally supposed to start Monday against Atlanta, has been pushed back a day along with everyone else in the rotation. Dumatrait will now pitch Tuesday night in the opener of a three-game series in St. Louis and be followed by LHP Paul Maholm and RHP Ian Snell.
--SS Jack Wilson, on the disabled list since April 4 with a slightly torn muscle in his left calf, has resumed designated hitter duties at extended spring training in Bradenton, Fla., but has yet to play in the field. The Pirates had hoped to have Wilson back last Tuesday when they began the seven-game homestand that ends Monday but he suffered a setback and they now have no firm timetable for his return.
--CF Chris Duffy is also getting at-bats as a DH in extended spring training but his surgically repaired left shoulder is still not healed to the point where he can play in the field. Duffy, also on the 15-day disabled list, had surgery last August.
--RHP Matt Capps is 9-for-9 in save opportunities this season after pitching a perfect ninth inning Saturday and 27-for-29 since being moved into the closer's role last June 1. His 93.1 save percentage is the best in the National League during that span and third-best in the major leagues behind the New York Yankees' Mariano Rivera (94.7, 36 of 38) and Detroit's Todd Jones (93.3 percent, 28 of 30).
BY THE NUMBERS
9-3, 3.46 -- Pirates left-handed pitchers' cumulative record and ERA in the first 18 home games this season.
QUOTE TO NOTE
"I know I'm a major-league players and it's just a matter of circumstances right now. Don't worry, this isn't the end of Nyj." -- OF Nyjer Morgan after being optioned to Class AAA Indianapolis.
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