Pregame news and notes: Ike Davis to start, bat sixth

Ike Davis is at PNC Park and will start at first base and bat sixth in tonight's game. To make room for Davis on the 25-man roster, Travis Ishikawa has been designated for assignment.

"We believe he is going to add value to our club," Hurdle said, "I reinforced the fact (to him) that he does not need to carry the club."

It sounds like Hurdle plans on a more traditional platoon at first base going forward with the addition of Davis: "It's going to be based on the pitcher's hand more than anything."

Hurdle also mentioned that he had a "nice, professional conversation" with Gaby Sanchez about how his playing time will be affected: "That was the hard part. We had gotten to a point where it looked like there would be a window of opportunity for him, then we put a screen over the window, again," he said.

-P- In his first meeting with the Pittsburgh media, Ike Davis described his emotions as, "Excited, obviously." "Leaving guys you've played with for seven years, that was the only tough part." He added that a change of scenery, "can't hurt ... it was pretty negative for me over there for a little while."

Davis said that one of the important adjustments he made last season, which led to a second half OPS of .954, was trying to see the ball a little longer and not guessing at pitch selection. "Sometimes you get in the habit of not trusting yourself, and that's the worst thing you can do," he said, "your hands are fast enough to hit a fastball, you don't need to cheat."

-P- This afternoon the Pirates announced that they have recalled Chris Stewart from the 15-day disabled list. To make room on the 25 man active roster Tony Sanchez has been optioned to Indianapolis. In 18 plate appearances with the Pirates, Sanchez batted .333/.333/.389, but occasionally struggled defensively.

"We spoke this afternoon and I thanked him for his service," Hurdle said of Sanchez. "Now he needs to play."

-P- Jordy Mercer showed up at the park today feeling better, Hurdle said. "We're going to play it safe tonight and, hopefully, he'll be able to compete for us later in the game. He's not going to start," he added.

-P- Wandy Rodriguez's early struggles are not related to any arm discomfort Hurdle said today: "There has been no residual arm soreness, tightness, ache, pain or anything whatsoever."

-P- If you haven't seen the .GIF of Matt Garza losing it after allowing a three-run home run to Jon Jay in his last start, do yourself a favor and click this link. Dayn Perry's write up is great.