Saturday, 23 February 2013 10:13

Written by Bill Brink

PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. -- Welcome to the first Grapefruit League game.

Game: Pirates (0-0) at Rays (0-0)

Time: 1:05 p.m.

Site: Charlotte Sports Park

Radio: KDKA-FM 93.7

Weather: 83 and partly cloudy

PIRATES

1. Marte 7
2. Presley 8
3. Snider 9
4. Jones 3
5. Alvarez 5
6. Hawpe DH
7. McKenry 2
8. Harrison 4
9. d'Arnaud 6
Locke LHP

RAYS

1. Fuld 8
2. Escobar 6
3. Johnson 4
4. Molina 2
5. Scott DH
6. Loney 3
7. Myers 9
8. Gimenez 5
9. Thompson 7
Hernandez RHP

Scheduled to pitch for the Pirates: Mike Zagurski, Chris Leroux, Bryan Morris, Duke Welker, Vin Mazzaro, Brooks Brown, Ryan Reid (possibly).

Scheduled to pitch for the Rays: Jeff Niemann, Mike Montgomery, Enny Romero, Fernando Rodney, J.D. Martin, Adam Liberatore.

Roberto Hernandez went 0-3 with a 7.53 ERA in three starts last season. The artist formerly known as Fausto Carmona spent his career with the Indians before joining the Rays in December. A sprained ankle ended his season last year.

***Francisco Liriano hopes to play catch and run in about two weeks, around the first week of March. He is throwing the ball on flat ground but not catching the ball.

***Jeff Karstens said his biceps feels much better and may throw a bullpen Sunday, but that is not set in stone.