Pirates roster set for Atlanta; Burnett reassigned

By MIKE HENRY
mhenry@bradenton.com

BRADENTON -- Evan Meek was so excited, he called his father with the news even though it was 5:30 a.m. in Seattle.
For Sean Burnett, the disappointment may have been cushioned by the birth of his son, Sebastien Drew, on Thursday.
In the competition for the final bullpen spots on Pittsburgh's 25-man Opening Day roster, Meek, Phil Dumatrait and Franquelis Osoria learned this morning from manager John Russell they'll be accompanying the team to Atlanta for Monday's opener.
Burnett, who is in Wellington with his fiancee Jessica and their newborn, wasn't as fortunate. Despite hurling eight consecutive hitless innings, the left-handed starter-turned-reliever was reassigned to Triple-A Indianapolis.
"As you'd expect anyone would be who'd been told they weren't making a major-league team, he was angry, he was frustrated, he was disappointed," said general manager Neal Huntington. "But Sean is a professional. He wants to work his way back to Pittsburgh, and that's where we want to see him."
Huntington said the organization wants its 2000 first-round draft choice to further develop the skills and psychology a relief pitcher needs to be successful.
"We're very excited with what Sean has done this spring. Nobody has outpitched him," Huntington said. "But it's not just about 12 spring-training games. We're excited about his progress -- he's healthy and the ball is coming out of his hand great.
"But there are some durability and resiliency questions that we have to answer -- can he go three innings and 50 pitches and come back two days later; what happens if he warms up in the sixth and doesn't come in until the eighth?"
Meek, a 24-year-old Rule 5 selection from the Rays' roster in December, has never pitched above Double-A. He said he was on pins and needles after a so-so two-inning outing Wednesday against the Tigers, but the Pirates like his power arm and would lose him by dropping him from the major-league roster because of his Rule 5 status.
"I'm just glad they saw enough before that outing to believe in me," the right-hander said. "With everything that has happened over the past five years of my career, for this to happen is amazing.
"It still hasn't sunk in yet," Meek said. "This is one of the best days of my life, but it doesn't stop now. I have to keep going."
Meek said his father was crying when he told him he'd made the roster.
In another roster move, outfielder Chris Duffy was put on the 15-day disabled list to start the season. Duffy, who is rehabilitating from left shoulder surgery last summer, will remain in Bradenton for extended spring training before receiving a rehab assignment.
"The game plan is for him to continue his progress down here," Huntington said.
"I'm trying not to set a timetable for myself," said Duffy, who threw the ball about 110 feet today without discomfort. "I don't want to feel like I have to meet a certain date and be pushing myself faster than I should."
Huntington said second baseman Freddy Sanchez feels good and will be on the opening day roster, barring a setback with his shoulder. Sanchez's time in the field has been limited because of throwing pain, and he will again see action at Pirate City on Saturday after working out with the team at McKechnie Field.
In other roster moves, pitchers Jaret Wright and Casey Fossum were granted their unconditional releases.