Pirates, Nady get good news from test results
Xavier Nady's medical test results ruled out chronic conditions, such as Crohn's disease. The official diagnosis is an infection of the intestine.
"The symptoms have been resolved, and he can take on more activity as he feels up to it," general manager Dave Littlefield said.
Manager Jim Tracy says he expects that Nady will play in his first game this spring by the end of this week.
• Tracy also says he expects left fielder Jason Bay will make his spring debut later this week. Bay, who had arthroscopic knee surgery in November, worked out Sunday at Pirate City.
• Infielder Jose Castillo will have X-rays taken of his injured right foot today. Castillo injured a bone near the front of his foot Saturday while sliding into second base trying to break up a double play.
"I'm going to miss a couple of days, that's all," Castillo said yesterday morning.
Castillo didn't play in yesterday's game against the Cincinnati Reds, but he did dress for light workouts at McKechnie Field. His right foot and ankle were taped, and he was walking only a slight limp.
• Pitcher Paul Maholm was knocked around a bit in the first inning of a "B" game against Cincinnati. The left-hander gave up three runs on three hits and walked two. After huddling with pitching coach Jim Colborn, Maholm settled down and got six consecutive outs. He notched four strikeouts in his three innings of work.
• Cincinnati won the six-inning "B" game, 5-0. Sean Burnett tossed two scoreless innings, allowing one hit. Shortstop prospect Brian Bixler and outfielder Vic Buttler each went 2 for 3
• Infielder Nick Green hasn't played since Wednesday's game against Manatee Community College, when he sprained his right big toe.
"Isn't that stupid?" Green said, with a chuckle. "I'd never heard of that before until it happened to me."
Digits
30 - Starts last season by Paul Maholm, third most among National League rookies.
33 - Josh Fogg's team mark for starts by a rookie, set in 2002.
- By Rob Biertempfel
