"Pirates second baseman Freddy Sanchez (tightness in lower back) was scratched from Friday's lineup against the Florida Marlins. According to a team spokesman, Sanchez felt a muscle in his back grab as he got out of a cab at Land Shark Stadium. His status is day-to-day.

• Ryan Doumit (right wrist) caught the first five innings in the first game of a Gulf Coast League doubleheader against the Blue Jays' rookie league club in Dunedin, Fla. Doumit went 0-for-2 (walk, strikeout, fly out). Doumit will join Triple-A Indianapolis on Sunday to continue his rehab assignment.

• Steve Pearce has started just two games since being called up by the Pirates on June 21. Management has said it would make little sense to promote Pearce if he wasn't going to play at least semi-regularly. Yesterday, Pirates manager John Russell gave a cryptic response when asked about Pearce: "With our outfield situation and Adam (LaRoche) at first, we knew it might be a little tough to get him in (games). We'll see how it goes."

• Pirates center fielder Andrew McCutchen was one of three runners-up for the National League Rookie of the Month honor, which went to Atlanta Braves pitcher Tommy Hanson. In June, McCutchen batted .284 with 10 extra-base hits, 18 RBI and four stolen bases. Also receiving votes were Washington Nationals pitcher Jordan Zimmermann and Milwaukee second baseman Casey McGehee"