ESPN MLB Spring Training 2008

BRADENTON, Fla. -- The Pittsburgh Pirates purchased infielder Luis Rivas' contract from Triple-A Indianapolis on Tuesday and will start him at second base on Opening Day if Freddy Sanchez's sore shoulder isn't better.

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Right now, Sanchez's shoulder isn't improving, and it's becoming a bigger worry to the Pirates as the season draws closer and he still can't play defensively.

Sanchez, an NL All-Star the last two seasons, has played only twice in the field this spring because of recurring right shoulder pain. He has been diagnosed with tendinitis, but the Pirates remain hopeful he can play in their opener Monday in Atlanta.

Sanchez didn't sound optimistic Tuesday about being game-ready in less than a week, saying he doesn't want to go through the season repeatedly taking cortisone shots just to play. He had arthroscopic surgery late last season to repair a shoulder problem not related to this one.

"When I hit, it's fine. When I run, it's fine. Even when I throw lightly, it's fine. It's not until I throw hard, I try to let it go, that it doesn't cooperate," Sanchez said. "That's why I'd rather take more time off now, than go through the whole season like this because this is not fun."

Sanchez is taking at-bats in the minor league camp, but is not expected to play in the field in the next day or so.

In addition to promoting Rivas, the Pirates cut four players, including former Yankees outfielder Kevin Thompson, and are down to 33 in camp, eight over the limit.

Thompson was optioned to Triple-A, while non-roster left-hander Casey Fossum and right-hander Elmer Dessens were reassigned to the minor league camp. Right-hander Jonah Bayliss was designated for assignment, creating a spot on the 40-man roster for Rivas.

Rivas, the Twins' starting second baseman for most of the 2001 through 2004 seasons, has a .348 average with no home runs, five doubles, a triple and three RBIs this spring. He has played only four games in the majors since the 2005 season, all with Cleveland last season.

"Luis has done the job all spring, with the bat and the glove," said general manager Neal Huntington, who saw Rivas extensively while working previously in Cleveland's front office.

Among those still competing for bullpen jobs are veteran starter Jaret Wright, whose contract allowed him to declare himself a free agent if he wasn't added to the Pirates' 25-man roster by Tuesday. But the right-handed Wright, who is scheduled to pitch Wednesday against Detroit, agreed to extend that deadline by two days.

Wright, 68-60 in 226 career games with five teams, has a 3.38 ERA in eight innings over eight games this spring. His best season was 2004, when he was 15-8 with a 3.28 ERA with the Braves.

Thompson's demotion could clear the way for rookie center fielder Nyjer Morgan, impressive during a late-season callup last year, to make the club even if he doesn't beat out Nate McLouth to start. But Huntington said utilityman Doug Mientkiewicz, who has played only three career games in the outfield, has proven he can also play in left or right field if needed.

Two players, center fielder Chris Duffy and reliever Juan Perez, are injured and have no chance of making the Opening Day roster, meaning the Pirates must make six more cuts. They are expected by Friday, a day before the final exhibition game.

Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press