Maholm scratched from start

By MIKE HENRY
mhenry@bradenton.com

FORT MYERS -- Pirates left-hander Paul Maholm has been scratched from today's scheduled start at Hammond Stadium in Fort Myers against the Twins because of stiffness in his lower back.
His spot in the lineup is being taken by left-hander Phil Dumatrait (0-0, 3.27 ERA this spring), who learned this morning he will be a member of the 25-man roster for the opener Monday in Atlanta.
"In talking with Paul, (manager) John (Russell) and (pitching coach) Jeff Andrews, if this was the regular season, (Maholm) would have started," said general manager Neal Huntington. "He threw long-toss today and he'll throw a bullpen session on Sunday in Atlanta and a simulated game on Tuesday."
As a precautionary measure, the Pirates are moving left-hander Zach Duke up to start the third game in Atlanta on Thursday. Maholm will start the April 5 game at Florida.