Apr 1, 2006 3 min read

BRADENTON, Fla. (AP) – Outfielder Jody Gerut was sent to the minors by the Pittsburgh Pirates on Friday, an unexpected move that created an opening-day roster spot for center fielder Nate McLouth. Gerut, who hit 22 homers for the Indians in 2003, is recovering from reconstructive knee surgery two seasons ago. He hit .349 this spring with 10 hits in his final 22 at-bats, only to be optioned to Triple-A Indianapolis.

“It’s certainly a surprise because when you play as well as I have this spring, you expect to be on the team,” he said. “I also understand that they’re trying to build a winning team and they just felt I didn’t fit on the bench as well as some other people. It’s disappointing.”

Gerut was told by the Pirates that he didn’t show them enough speed.

“He’s had a good year in the major leagues (2003) but he only got about 160 at-bats last season,” general manager Dave Littlefield said. “I’d certainly expect to see him again at some point this season.”

McLouth quickly became a favorite of manager Jim Tracy, hitting .345 with six stolen bases this spring training.

“What hasn’t he done?” Tracy said.

McLouth had a .257 average with five homers in 109 at-bats after being called up last season. Gerut hit 22 homers for the Indians three years ago and, because of the Pirates’ lack of power hitting, figured to be one of their top pinch-hitters and bench players.

The Pirates also set former Brewers right-hander Victor Santos as one of the five members of their season-opening rotation, barring a late trade. Santos beat out former Phillies and Astros prospect Brandon Duckworth, who was reassigned to the minor league camp.

Right-handed reliever Matt Capps and utilityman Jose Hernandez also were told they had made the team. Right-hander Bryan Bullington (shoulder surgery) was placed on the 60-day disabled list to create a 40-man roster spot for Hernandez, whose contract was purchased from Indianapolis.

Capps has a 1.12 ERA and hasn’t walked any in eight innings. He came up with the Pirates late last season and had a 4.50 ERA in four innings.

“He has a lot of poise,” Littlefield said. “He’s a good competitor. He obviously had a very good spring.”

Santos likely won out over Duckworth only because he was a winter draft pick who must remain with the Pirates all season or be offered back to the Royals. Duckworth had a much better camp, with a 2.08 ERR in 17 1-3 innings.

“We need to preserve our starting pitching depth,” Littlefield said.

Coming off a bad season with Milwaukee (4-13, 4.57 ERA), the 29-year-old Santos had an equally bad spring. He was 0-2 with a 6.27 ERA, giving up 33 hits in 18 2-3 innings. He was roughed up for 12 hits, seven for extra bases, and seven runs, five earned, in 4 1-3 innings during a 7-5 loss to the Twins on Thursday.

“You know that the five pitchers you go into the season with aren’t always the same five you end the year with,” Littlefield said.

The moves leave left-hander Damaso Marte and non-roster right-hander Terry Adams and left-hander C.J. Nitkowski competing for the final two spots in their bullpen.