Minicamp

Despite the recent return to winter weather here in Western PA, it's time for voluntary Pirates mini-camp in Bradenton. There's not much of a story here really, 18 of 20 pitchers on the 40-man are showing up, with Torres and Hernandez being the only exceptions. Oliver Perez is going to show up, despite earlier reports that he might not. And it makes sense that the new coaching staff would want to get an early look at their biggest project and probably one of the guys most important to turning this team around.

There's also a bunch of non-roster invitees, and it's a group to salivate over, let me tell you what. Terry Adams, Brandon Duckworth, Marty McLeary, Ron Chiavacci, C.J. Nitkowski, Matt Peterson, Britt Reames, Joe Roa, Scott Strickland and Matt Whiteside will all be there, with Strickland being the one to keep an eye on, as he was very good before his arm surgery and if he's recovered he might have a chance at being good again. All three catchers (Doumit, Cota, Paulino) will also be there (for obvious reasons), as well as Duffy, Gerut, and Castillo (to check their injury progress I'd assume), and Craig Stansberry ( I don't know why).