PITTSBURGH — Even after five seasons at the Class AAA level, Garrett Jones has never let go of his dream of being a regular in the major leagues.

“You always have to keep a positive attitude and believe that if you work hard and play well that you’ll eventually get a chance,” the Pirates outfielder said.

Jones might finally get that chance after having his contract selected from Indianapolis on Tuesday. He was in the starting lineup Wednesday night, batting third and playing left field.

Pirates manager John Russell talked as if Jones could wind up seeing significant playing time in left for the remainder of the season.

“He’s an RBI guy, and we could use more power in our lineup,” Russell said. “He’s an athletic player who runs well and can do some things. He’s an interesting guy. I’ve seen him play in triple-A and I was really impressed with what he did in spring training for us this year.

“He has the ability to play every day. Whether he does or not remains to be seen because we have a couple of guys in the outfield who are hot in Brandon Moss and Delwyn Young. Garrett is going to get a chance to play, though.”

Jones, 28, hit .307 with

12 home runs and 48 RBIs in 72 games for Indianapolis. He has a total of 93 homers at the Class AAA level, but has had only one other crack at the major leagues, playing 31 games for Minnesota in 2007.

The biggest surprise about Jones this year is that he had

14 stolen bases for Indianapolis, the most in his 10 professional seasons.

“(Indianapolis manager) Frank Kremblas gave me the green light, and I think I caught some people by surprise,” the 6-foot-4, 245-pound Jones said. “I’m not real fast, but I’m also not slow, so I can occasionally get a steal if people aren’t paying attention.”

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Snell update: Right-hander Ian Snell, optioned to Indianapolis a week ago, told a television station that he was battling depression and considered suicide while going 2-8 with a 5.32 ERA in 15 starts with the Pirates this season.

“Sometimes people do stupid stuff, and I had to fight it, not to do something stupid and take my life for myself and my family and my parents,” Snell told WTHR-TV in Indianapolis.

Snell said he has been able to overcome depression through the help of his family, friends and religion.

“Seek God and positive people around you and look for your true friends, and they’ll come out and support you,” Snell said. “A lot of people support me right now. I’m just grateful, because if I didn’t have them, I probably wouldn’t be standing here right now.”

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Salazar update: Outfielder Jeff Salazar joined the Pirates as his contract was purchased from Indianapolis.

Salazar, 28, hit .265 with

10 homers, 36 RBIs and 16 steals in

76 games with the Indians. He has spent parts of the past three seasons in the majors with Colorado (2006) and Arizona (2007-08).

“I’m glad just glad to be back in the big leagues,” Salazar said.

“I’m here to help out in whatever (Russell) needs, as a pinch hitter or pinch runner or to play any of the three outfield spots. Hopefully, I can help in some way.”

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Hanrahan update: Reliever Joel Hanrahan joined the Pirates before Wednesday night’s game. He was acquired Tuesday from Washington along with Class AAA Syracuse outfielder Lastings Milledge in a trade for Nyjer Morgan and Sean Burnett.

Hanrahan echoed the comments he made to www.piratesreport.com on Tuesday night as he met with reporters on Wednesday.

“It’s a really exciting opportunity for me,” Hanrahan said. “I think the chance of scenery will do me a lot of good. It had been a struggle for me in Washington this season and it’s going to be nice to have the chance to kind of start all over again.”

Hanrahan, 27, was 0-3 with five saves and a 7.71 ERA in 34 relief appearances with the Nationals. He was twice removed from the closer’s role as he blew a total of five saves.

He pitched a scoreless inning on Wednesday, allowing one hit and striking out one.

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Monroe update: Outfielder Craig Monroe cleared waivers Wednesday and was unconditionally released. He had been designated for assignment June 19 after hitting .215 with three homers and 16 RBIs in 34 games.

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Wilson apologizes: Shortstop Jack Wilson said he was remorseful for the negative comments he made Tuesday after the trade of Morgan and Burnett that included questioning the Pirates’ long-term direction.

“I said some things I shouldn’t have said and I feel bad about it,” Wilson said. “It’s hard to lose teammates and friends, and your emotions can get the best of you when that happens. I’m a positive person by nature, and I don’t want to cause any negativity around our club. I’m definitely proud to be a Pirate and a member of this organization.”

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Minors update: Class AA Altoona right-hander Daniel Moskos, shortstop Brian Friday and outfielder-first baseman Jason Delaney have been selected to play in the Eastern League All-Star Game on July 15 at Trenton, N.J.

Outfielder Evan Chambers, the Pirates’ third-round draft pick from Hillsborough (Fla.) Community College signed Wednesday and was assigned to short season Class A State College.

The Pirates also signed 13th-round pick John Gourley, a shortstop from Eastern Wayne High School in Goldsboro, N.C.; and 18th-round pick Ryan Beckman, a right-hander from Grayson County (Texas) College.

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Up next: The Pirates face the Mets meet at 12:35 p.m. today to make up a game rained out June 3 with left-hander Paul Maholm (5-4, 4.35) scheduled to start against Tim Redding (1-3, 6.35). Maholm snapped a two-game losing streak last Saturday by beating Kansas City but has lost four of his past six decisions.