Spring training thread and three cuts

The Pirates made three cuts today, optioning right-handed reliever Dovydas Neverauskas to Indianapolis and re-assigning catcher Christian Kelley and outfielder Barrett Barnes to minor league camp. The move with Neverauskas is mildly surprising. With Jared Hughes coming off a poor season and having a miserable spring, you’d think the Pirates would want to take a longer look at Neverauskas. This does make clear that Edgar Santana ranks higher on the depth chart than Neverauskas, even though the former isn’t on the 40-man roster and the latter is.

The oft-injured Barnes apparently discomforted a hamstring while running out an infield hit yesterday. He’s considered day-to-day. Kelley will be the catcher at Bradenton this year.

Meanwhile, the Pirates are at home against the Orioles for a 1:05 PM start, with Francisco Cervelli returning, apparently fully comfortable, from the WBC. Drew Hutchison will start, followed by Felipe Rivero, Tyler Webb and Wade LeBlanc. The lineup:

1. Jorday Mercer, SS
2. Alen Hanson, 2B
3. David Freese, 3B
4. John Jaso, RF
5. Francisco Cervelli, C
6. Eric Wood, 1B
7. Austin Meadows, CF
8. Danny Ortiz, LF
9. Erich Weiss, DH

The Pirates and Orioles were also slated for a “B” game in Sarasota at 10:05 AM. Lineups weren’t available and the game isn’t covered by Lameday. The Pirates were scheduled to start Trevor Williams, with Casey Sadler and Angel Sanchez also pitching.