Pirates-Blue Jays wrap-up

By MIKE HENRY
mhenry@bradenton.com

BRADENTON -- The Pirates travel to Ed Smith Stadium in Sarasota on Tuesday to play the Reds. Left-hander Paul Maholm is scheduled to start for Pittsburgh against Josh Fogg.
Pittsburgh manager John Russell said Freddy Sanchez, limited until now to designated-hitter duty because of a tender shoulder, will make his first start of the spring at second base.

Strong outing: Pirates left-hander Zach Duke had his best outing of the spring in Monday's 4-1 victory against Toronto, allowing three hits and no runs and striking out one while facing the minimum 15 batters in five innings.
Left-hander Sean Burnett also looked strong, retiring all six batters he faced in a two-inning stint and striking out Scott Rolen.
"I feel like I'm very close," Duke said. "I don't want to say I'm totally back, but I believe it's somewhere in me. I'm a lot closer than I've been the past couple of years."

News and notes: Russell said Ian Snell, who signed a multi-year contract Sunday for a reported $8-million over the next three years, will start the regular-season opener March 31 in Atlanta.
Left-hander Tom Gorzelanny will start the second game in Atlanta on April 2 and the Pirates' home opener against the Cubs on April 7.

Reaching out: Pirates players Matt Capps and Nate McLouth, along with team president Frank Coonelly, broadcaster Lanny Frattare and the Pirate Parrot mascot, will visit students at Wakeland Elementary School from 10 a.m.-noon Wednesday.
The Pirates will serve a ballpark-style lunch to about 500 students. Three lucky children will be contestants in the Pirates' version of "Deal or No Deal," with Frattare as the host and Capps and McLouth as the bankers.