Pirates notebook

By MIKE HENRY
mhenry@bradenton.com

BRADENTON -- Pirates center fielder Nate McLouth is back in the lineup today after missing four games with tightness in his right hamstring.
McLouth, who is competing with Nyjer Morgan for the starting job, is batting leadoff against a Tigers split-squad at McKechnie Field. McLouth was 1-for-5 in his first two games, with a three-run home run in Thursday's 11-6 victory against the Phillies.
As if to show he is 100 percent, McLouth stole second base after leading off the bottom of the first with a walk.

Slim pickings: The Tigers are short on star power for today's game against the Pirates. Many of the team's starters remained in Lakeland for a split-squad game against the Phillies, and nine minor leaguers were summoned for the Pirates game. Center fielder Curtis Granderson, designated hitter Gary Sheffield, first baseman Marcus Thames and left fielder Jacque Jones were among the few recognizable Detroit players to make the trip.
Manager Jim Leyland, who skippered the Pirates from 1986-96, also stayed in Lakeland. But the Tigers were not lacking for former Pittsburgh managers, with hitting coach Lloyd McClendon (2001-05 at the Pirates' helm) and third-base coach Gene Lamont (1997-2000) at McKechnie.
Pirates senior advisor Chuck Tanner and spring training instructor Bill Virdon rounded out a quartet of ex-Pirates skippers at the game.

Up next: The Pirates play host to the Blue Jays at 1:05 p.m. on Thursday at McKechnie Field. Left-hander Tom Gorzelanny is scheduled to start against Toronto's Dustin McGowan. Also expected to pitch for the Pirates are Zach Duke, Jimmy Barthmaier, Casey Fossum and John Grabow.

Quote of the day: "People ask me if I'm anxious for the season to start. Yeah -- but not yet, because I believe there are things we need to accomplish as a team before we're ready to play. Wins and losses at this point are not my concern. My concern is that when we go to Atlanta (for the March 31 regular-season opener), we're going to go out there with a great chance to win that game." -- Pirates manager John Russell, whose team is trying to snap a five-game losing streak today against the Tigers

Ninth Street party: The Pirates will play host to their third annual Champs Sports Festival on 9th Street West in front of McKechnie Field from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. on Saturday before the exhibition game against the Twins.
Fans of all ages are invited to participate. Festivities include free autograph sessions with players, an inflatable bounce house, personalized postcards, prizes and other fun activities.