It sounds like the Pirates might use Steve Pearce off the bench. Pearce at least has a chance of providing power, which is something the Pirates need badly. His 2008 season was disappointing, but he wouldn't be the first talented player to go stale at AAA before contributing in the majors. If he makes the team, he stands some reasonable chance of wresting playing time from Nyjer Morgan, who I can't believe the Pirates' management likes very much.
The Pirates also might look for "comeback" players like Emil Brown, Craig Monroe and Jonny Gomes, the article reports. I don't know about Gomes, but Brown and Monroe aren't coming back; they're just awful.