Pregame: Clint Barmes placed on the 15-day disabled list

-P- The Pirates have placed Clint Barmes on the 15-day disabled list with a left groin strain and recalled Michael Martinez from Triple-A Indianapolis.

The Pirates just claimed infielder Dean Anna off waivers from the Yankees. We may end up seeing him with the big league club sooner rather than later.

Yesterday, Clint Hurdle mentioned that he sees Josh Harrison as a possible future utility middle infielder. Today's news means Harrison should receive a few starts at shortstop in the near future.

-P- Gerrit Cole is scheduled to play long toss today. Hurdle said that how it goes will be an "indicator" of whether he will stay on schedule for his next start.

"If he feels good, tomorrow's bullpen, and that will definitely be decision day," Hurdle said.

-P- If the Pirates are interested in acquiring another starting pitcher, they have one less target this afternoon. Jon Heyman reports that the Arizona Diamondbacks have traded Brandon McCarthy to the New York Yankees for Vidal Nuno. The Yankees will also pay a $1 million assignment bonus as part of the deal.

-P- Hurdle was asked today whether he would ever consider establishing a six-man rotation. Besides saying that the team would not move in that direction right now, he made some interesting comments about organization's philosophy when it comes to keeping pitchers healthy.

"My feeling for this organization right now is a five-man rotation, spike up the pitch count and go from there," Hurdle said. "I think we need to pitch more and systematically work out less."

Hurdle said that the reason he wants pitchers to work out less is that they tend to "highlight specific areas" that are not directly related to pitching.

"All you have to do is go to gym and watch people [and see what they're working on]," Hurdle said. "I just believe we need to highlight the actual throwing aspect of it."