By JOHN PERROTTO
PITTSBURGH — Jeff Salazar’s chances of making the Pirates’ opening-day roster all but ended when Eric Hinske was signed as a free agent in late January.
Salazar had signed a minor-league contract as a free agent a month earlier.
At the time, he appeared to have a good shot of making the club as a left-handed hitting reserve outfielder, a spot that eventually went to Hinske.
Thus, it was only fitting that Salazar benefited this week when the Pirates traded Hinske to the New York Yankees for two minor-leaguers. Salazar’s contract was purchased from Class AAA Indianapolis to fill Hinske’s place on the roster.
Salazar made his Pirates’ debut Thursday, flying out as a pinch hitter in a 9-8 loss to the New York Mets in 10 innings at PNC Park.
“I understood why they signed Hinske,” Salazar said. “He’s a good player, a proven player. I’m glad I have a chance now to be here, and hopefully I’ll prove I belong here.”
Salazar, 28, hit .256 with
10 home runs and 36 RBIs in
76 games with Indianapolis this season after spending parts of the previous three years in the major leagues with Colorado and Arizona. He was 10-for-17 (.588) in his final four games with the Indians.
Salazar also had a strong showing in spring training, going
14-for-50 (.280) with four home runs and 15 RBIs.
“He is a good player who does a lot of things,” Pirates manager John Russell said. “He was highly regarded coming up through the minor leagues (in the Colorado organization). I liked what I saw of him in spring training and he is going to help us.”
It also helps that Salazar can play center field as the Pirates had no true backup for rookie Andrew McCutchen after trading Nyjer Morgan to Washington on Tuesday.
“That’s definitely a plus in Jeff’s favor,” Russell said. “We needed somebody in case we want to give Andrew a day off or, heaven forbid, he is down for a few days.”
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All-Star update: It seems left-hander Zach Duke and second baseman Freddy Sanchez are the most likely Pirates to be selected to play in the All-Star Game on July 14 at St. Louis. The teams will be announced Sunday.
Sanchez might rate the edge because he can also play shortstop and third base. That versatility figures to be attractive to National League manager Charlie Manuel, of Philadelphia, since the designated hitter will not be used because the game is being played in an NL park.
Sanchez, though, gives his endorsement to Duke.
“Actually, I’d be surprised if I were picked,” said Sanchez, who played in consecutive All-Star Games in 2006-07.
“Assuming we only get one guy picked, Zach is the guy who should go. He’d been good all season and very consistent. He’s having an All-Star season.”
Duke has never been selected to an All-Star Game.
“I would love to go and it would be a great honor, but I look at it as I’m going to have a good time during the All-Star break regardless of what happens,” Duke said. “It’s either going to in St. Louis or back home in Texas. Either way, I can’t lose.”
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Minors update: Indianapolis closer Chris Bootcheck and catcher Erik Kratz have been selected to play for the International League in the Triple-A All-Star Game on July 15 at Portland, Ore.
Bootcheck, 30, is 1-2 with
14 saves and a 2.91 ERA in 30 games this season.
Kratz, 29, is hitting .280 with three home runs and 20 RBIs in 50 games.
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International update: The Pirates signed three Taiwanese-born players Thursday on the first day major-league clubs could sign international amateur free agents.
Right-hander Sheng-Cin Hong and outfielder Ping-Hung Chi, both 18, played at His Yuan High School and first baseman Chih-Wei Hsu, 17, is a product of Kuang Fu High School. They will begin their professional careers at Major League Baseball’s Australian Academy.
The top free agent in the Dominican Republic, shortstop Miguel Sano, did not sign Thursday and is not expected to make a decision until the weekend. The Pirates are believed to have the inside track with Minnesota also a serious suitor and Baltimore a dark horse.
The Pirates also have significant interest in Dominican right-hander GianCarlos Santana, younger brother of Los Angeles pitcher Ervin Santana.
Kansas City appears to be the Pirates’ stiffest competition.
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Up next: The Pirates open a three-game series against the Florida Marlins at 6:10 tonight in Miami with Charlie Morton (0-1, 4.09) scheduled to start against Chris Volstad (5-7, 4.63). Morton is 1-1 with a 6.00 ERA in three career starts against the Marlins.
