Mar 5, 2007 3 min read

BRADENTON, Fla. (AP) – The Pittsburgh Pirates had positive health news on infielder Jose Castillo and outfielder Xavier Nady on Sunday. Castillo, who was to have X-rays Monday on his sprained right foot, had those plans canceled after an encouraging workout Sunday morning. Nady, whose spring training has been delayed by an inflamed intestine, was diagnosed as having a viral infection, the least serious possibility.

Nady had a colonoscopy Wednesday in Pittsburgh to determine if a chronic digestive disorder such as Crohn’s disease might have been responsible for the intestinal problem that afflicted him shortly before spring training.

Castillo was injured Saturday in the third inning of Pittsburgh’s game against the New York Yankees in Tampa, Fla., when he slid awkwardly into second base in an attempt to break up a double play. His ankle rolled slightly, and the tip of his foot caught the bag awkwardly.

The ankle was taped Sunday morning, and Castillo participated in a light workout on the side.

“I could play today if I had to,” he said. “It feels fine.”

Castillo is perhaps the player in Pittsburgh’s camp who can least afford to lose any significant playing time.

The Pirates’ second baseman for the past three years, he was stripped of his starting status after a 2006 season in which his average wound up .253 after a 4-for-44 nosedive in the final 16 games. He hit 11 home runs in his first 62 games, just three in his final 86. On top of that, he committed 18 errors and numerous mental lapses, in the field and on the base paths.

Still, Pittsburgh management seems to retain a high opinion of his potential, especially his power. He long has been seen as having the greatest natural power of anyone on the major league roster, despite never having hit more than the 14 home runs of last season.

“I think the world of Jose Castillo and what he can bring to this ballclub,” manager Jim Tracy said. “But he’s got to meet us halfway, work with us on the things he needs to do to become the type of player we all know he can be.”

Castillo unwittingly drew plenty of attention during the offseason when Jack Wilson, his shortstop of three years, publicly criticized his work ethic and physical conditioning during the team’s fan fest in late January.

Among the terms Wilson used to describe Castillo was “lazy.”

That matter was addressed with a meeting between Wilson and Castillo at the opening of camp, and the two have gotten along surprisingly well since then. They often are seen speaking, even laughing and joking.

Castillo can only hope the larger matter of his performance can be addressed so swiftly.

He got off to a good start by losing 20 pounds through a workout regimen and by batting .308 with 40 RBIs in 46 games of winter ball in his native Venezuela. He has acquitted himself fairly well, too, in the early stages of spring training.

But he seems to realize the battle is only beginning.

“I need to come in here and work hard, and that’s my plan,” Castillo said. “I’m here to play baseball and not worry about anything else.”

That includes, he added, his new position this spring. Management has Castillo and Jose Bautista, the infielder with whom Castillo is competing, working exclusively at third base this spring. That is Bautista’s natural position, but it is mostly new to Castillo. “I’m OK there,” he said. “I’m learning, but I’ll be OK.”