Notebook: Wilson's hamstring appears healthy

MONTREAL - Any fears that he had completely lost his swing were erased Friday night when Pirates shortstop Jack Wilson singled as a pinch-hitter in the ninth inning.

It was Wilson's first appearance since he tweaked his right hamstring June 23.

'It was nice to get that one out of the way,' Wilson said Saturday before he returned to the starting lineup against the Montreal Expos.

Wilson got to test his hamstring when he moved to second base on a wild pitch. He passed that test, as well as, all others that were handed to him in pregame workouts

'I thought I was ready to play the last couple of days,' Wilson said. 'But I realize they want to make sure I'm ready and double-check everything.'

Manager Lloyd McClendon didn't want to rush his rookie shortstop back into the lineup and risk him reinjuring the hamstring and sitting out another two or three weeks.

'Healing a hamstring is a long process,' Wilson said .'Even if it felt better, they knew I needed a few extra days. I had no problem with that.'

Wilson was hoping the layoff wouldn't affect his swing. He was 12 for 35 in 10 games prior to his injury.

He was encouraged by opening the ninth inning Friday and hitting a Ugueth Urbina pitch up the middle for a single.

Another encouraging sign came in the first inning last night when Wilson doubled to the right-center gap.

Last night, Wilson wore a protective brace on his right hamstring as a precaution. He will wear it for a few days.

NO DAYS OFF

Catcher Jason Kendall could be in line for another start in the outfield today. Or he could receive another rarity - a day off.

With the Pirates 12 games into a 20-game stretch without a scheduled day off, McClendon might give Kendall a breather.

'There's a chance that may happen,' said McClendon, who also said there's a 50-50 chance Kendall could start in the outfield.

McClendon removed Kendall after five innings Friday night when the Expos built an 11-2 lead.

Kendall has started 75 of 78 games this season, including 12 in the outfield. The last time he wasn't in the starting lineup was May 13 in Milwaukee.

Before playing his first game in the outfield May 23, Kendall was batting .250 (40 for 160) with three homers and 15 RBI. Since then, he is batting .268 (38 for 142) with one homer and 13 RBI.

GM UPDATE

The Oakland Tribune reported Saturday that while the Pirates have asked for permission to interview San Francisco Giants assistant general manager Ned Colletti, the Giants haven't granted to request yet.

Entering this weekend, Pirates owner Kevin McClatchy had interviewed five candidates. He plans to speak with between six and nine before naming Cam Bonifay's successor.

HEADING WEST

If, as expected, Major League Baseball rotates divisions in the interleague schedule, the Pirates will play teams from the American League West next season. That's according to a preliminary schedule that has been drafted.

Teams from the NL West will play AL East teams, with NL East teams playing those from the AL Central.

PHONE TAG

When McClendon returned to his hotel Friday night, he had a message awaiting him from Frank Robinson, baseball's chief disciplinarian.

Robinson didn't detail McClendon's punishment for removing first base and taking it to the dugout Tuesday night. Robinson wasn't in his office when McClendon phoned back.

'I'm sure he'll find me,' McClendon said, laughing. 'If he doesn't call me, I'm sure I'll be getting a letter from him soon.'

PHONE TAG II

After trading voice-mail messages, McClendon finally spoke with New York Mets manager Bobby Valentine on Friday.

Valentine sought McClendon's input for the Pirates representative(s) in the All-Star Game. Reserves and pitchers will be selected by Valentine on Wednesday.

'I just told him the facts,' McClendon said. 'I didn't push for one guy or another.'

McClendon said that he told Valentine to give consideration to outfielder Brian Giles, closer Mike Williams and third baseman Aramis Ramirez.