"Although he will be a bit behind the rest of the pitching staff when spring training begins next month, Pirates right-hander Charlie Morton still hopes to be ready by Opening Day.

Morton had surgery in October to repair a torn labrum in his left hip. He began soft- and long-tossing in December and this week is doing similar light workouts at the team's voluntary, five-day minicamp.

"Everything I do is done on the side of caution," Morton said. "But I think I can get back on time."

Morton will resume workouts at Pirate City on Feb. 1, about three weeks before pitchers and catchers report for the official start of spring training."