BRADENTON, Fla. - Jason Bay doesn't know what a normal spring training feels like.
Last spring, the Pirates left fielder missed some time in camp while playing in the World Baseball Classic. The year before that, Bay tweaked his wrist while trying to make a diving catch. In 2004, he was coming off shoulder surgery.
This year, Bay is working off the rust after a minor operation on his knee.
"If you look at my spring training track record, this year is nothing unusual," said Bay, who has sat out the first six games this spring while recovering from offseason knee surgery. "I've never had a full spring training."
Today, Bay will make his first game appearance when the Pirates play the Minnesota Twins in Fort Myers, Fla. It's still a gradual comeback, though -- Bay will be the designated hitter.
"We have the luxury of time right now, so there's really no hurry," Bay said.
Bay had arthroscopic surgery to clean up his left knee in November. Over the past week, he has ramped up his running. Thursday, he cleared a final hurdle when he began cutting on the basepaths and in the outfield.
"Once (the workouts) were done, I realized I didn't even notice my knee," Bay said. "So I guess it's good."
For all the problems Bay has experienced in previous springs, none have ever lingered into the regular season. He is a two-time All-Star with a .292 career batting average.
"Whatever I'm doing is working so far," Bay said, grinning, "so maybe I won't try for a normal spring."
General manager Dave Littlefield did not have a timetable for when Bay will return to his spot in left field. The Pirates also have been without their starting right fielder, Xavier Nady, since the start of spring training.
Nady was hospitalized for three days with what turned out to be an intestinal infection. Yesterday, Nady said he hopes to be back in the lineup by the end of the week.
"I'm going to track some pitches in the outfield today so I don't embarrass myself," Nady said. "I feel fine, which is nice. If anything, I get a little tired quicker than the average person."
While he was playing for the New York Mets last season, Nady missed 19 days after having an emergency appendectomy.
"It takes a little while to get in shape," Nady said. "But I feel I have enough time to get my at-bats in. I'm glad it didn't go longer into camp, because that would have limited me down the stretch this month."
Having Bay and Nady get off to slow starts in spring training is a nuisance for Pirates management. If it happens during the regular season, however, it would be a calamity.
The Pirates' system is not deep with outfielders who are ready to play every day in the majors.
"If we lose a pitcher, we have guys who can step up and perform," said Brian Graham, senior director of player development. "But in the outfield ...
"We don't know the status of (Jody) Gerut's health. We're not sure what (Nate) McLouth would do if he played every day. And the fact that Bay and Nady fill such important spots in the batting order is a huge factor."
Gerut, on the mend from knee surgery, still is not working out a full speed. McLouth has just 147 career at-bats in the majors. Luis Matos, a non-roster invitee to camp, has big league experience, but he hit just .207 last season for the Baltimore Orioles.
Littlefield will breathe a bit easier when Bay and Nady are back on the field, going full-tilt.
"You do run into a few potholes during spring training, and you just hope they're not too drastic," Littlefield said. "Fortunately, in both guys' cases, it appears everything will be fine and they'll be ready to go in April."
Out in the field
Andrew McCutchen, Luis Matos, Chris Aguila, Nate McLouth, Chris Duffy, Vic Buttler and Mike Ryan have started in the outfield, left field to right field, for the Pirates so far this spring:
March 6vs. PhilliesMcCutchen, Matos, Aguila
March 5vs. Blue JaysMcCutchen, Duffy, Aguila
March 4vs. RedsMcLouth, Duffy, Matos
March 3vs. YankeesMcCutchen, Buttler, Aguila
March 2vs. BravesRyan, Duffy, McLouth
March 1vs. RedsMcCutchen, Matos, Aguila
