PIRATES REPORT: Pirates closer Dotel in no hurry to get to Opening Day
Paul Ladewski
BRADENTON, Fla. — Relief pitcher Octavio Dotel likes to think that he’ll be available on Opening Day, but the 36-year-old is in no hurry to get there. In August 2007, shortly after his trade from the Kansas City Royals to the Atlanta Braves, Dotel was placed on the disabled list because of a strained right shoulder. He attempted to return prematurely and was sidelined for a total of six weeks as a result. “I learned that when it happened,” he recalled. “Now I know. I don’t want to rush back.” On Thursday morning, Dotel threw 40 pitches on a mound, including six curveballs and six sliders. The breaking pitches were the first since he pulled a muscle in his left side 18 days earlier. He was scheduled for another bullpen session on Saturday morning. Barring a setback, Dotel will pitch live batting practice on Monday morning then make an appearance in a Triple A game on Wednesday afternoon. “If I feel good, then we may change the schedule,” Dotel said.
» Full StoryPIRATES REPORT: Clement feels ‘alright’ at first
ORLANDO, Fla. – In his first two games at first base, Pirates converted catcher Jeff Clement handled 15 chances without an error.
“I feel all right over there,” Clement reporte.
PIRATES REPORT: Meet Akinori Iwamura
BRADENTON, Fla. — There are some things that one may or may not know about Akinori Iwamura, the new Pirates second baseman.
Iwamura was born in Uwajima, Japan, located on the island of Shikoku, the fourth-largest in the country.
District 10 postpones Friday sports
All District 10 sporting events are postponed on Friday due to weather.
» Full StoryTHE PIRATES REPORT: ‘A lot of optimism’ in Pirate City
BRADENTON, Fla. – Pirates manager John Russell raised the stakes for his team last month, when he set a postseason berth as the team goal. If the first two days of spring activities were any indication, then the message hit home with the player.
» Full StoryTHE PIRATES REPORT: Russell expects spirited spring camp for Pirates




