Pirates cleanup

Not many Pirate notes,but a few going into the cleanup phase.

The Pirates demoted Jason Jaramillo to Indianapolis and recalled Eric Kratz to backup Ryan Doumit.
The thirty year old Kratz makes his big league debut in Houston.
This probably is a good thing for Jaramillo,who was never going to be a big time bat,but has struggled with the mitt,which is supposedly his calling card.
It is nice to see a minor league veteran such as Kratz get a chance to hit the big time and I would bet that he makes at least a cameo appearance in the Houston series.

The Post-Gazette looks at some of the heralded signees from the 2009 draft that are currently pitching for the State College Spikes.
Not of all of these arms are going to make it all the way to the top,but the Pirates have to hope at least one or two are able to.

John Russell has finally decided to make Lastings Milledge the full time right fielder and move Ryan Church to a reserve role.
Russell had platooned the pair and Church's lack of performance despite having loads of opportunities made me wonder what was going on.
Milledge may not live up to hopes and expectations,but he definitely will not do so platooning with the likes of Ryan Church.

Good news and bad news from West Virginia as Nate Baker,who tossed eight no hit innings at the Hagerstown Suns was promoted to High A Bradenton,while touted 2009 draft pick Jeff Inman was shut down with elbow issues.

Two pitchers that were brought into the system last season through high profile trades swapped spots as Tim Alderson was demoted to Bradenton with Jeff Locke taking Alderson's spot with Altoona.
Alderson has been quite disappointing since arriving from the Giants organization last summer.

Brian Bixler is back as the Pirates traded with Cleveland to reacquire the shortstop.Bixler was swapped for Jesus Brito ( now with West Virginia) over the winter and the terms of the trade were undisclosed,although it likely will be cash considerations.

Back tomorrow with the Pirates against the Astros.