SARASOTA, Fla. - John Van Benschoten is out of options and may be down to his last chance with the Pirates' organization.
One day after the team optioned or reassigned 10 players to the team's minor-league camp, Van Benschoten cleaned out his locker and joined them.
"I've just got to go in there and take care of my thing, work hard and get back to the point where I can consistently throw strikes on a regular basis," Van Benschoten said. "That's not going to be hard for me to do. I'm going to get it turned around pretty quick."
Van Benschoten was the Pirates' first pick, eighth overall, in the 2001 draft and never has proven that he can be a mainstay on the roster. In 17 games, including 14 starts, he is 1-10 with an 8.78 ERA and has issued more walks (48) than his 44 career strikeouts.
He also missed the entire 2005 season after having shoulder surgery.
Last season, he was 10-7 in Triple-A, was named the team's minor-league pitcher of the year and twice was called up to the majors. In 11 appearances, including nine starts, he was 0-7 with a 10.15 ERA, allowed four homers, threw five wild pitches and gave up 55 hits in 39 innings.
By being sent down, the Pirates used the last option on Van Benschoten. If he remains on the 40-man roster next season, he would have to clear waivers before being sent down.
"I don't really know what it means, it just is what it is," Van Benschoten said. "You're going to get sent down to Triple-A, you're going to play in Triple-A and you can't really sugar-coat what it is."
