Sanchez, Morris ready to go

By MIKE HENRY
mhenry@bradenton.com

BRADENTON -- It's official -- Freddy's ready.
After a vigorous workout before today's 5-4 loss against the Twins, Pirates second baseman Freddy Sanchez confirmed he is ready to start the season at second base when Pittsburgh opens the regular season Monday night in Atlanta.
Sanchez, who did not play in the game, turned double plays, fielded ground balls up the middle and in the gap and made throws to first base this morning, reassuring himself and the team his shoulder is up to the stress. Although he batted .364 (16-for-44) this spring, he played only two games in the field because of recurring discomfort. Sanchez took the field for a Triple-A game Friday at Pirate City and played in the field Thursday at the complex.
Sanchez underwent minor arthroscopic surgery on the shoulder in September.
"It's alright. We'll see how it goes during the season," Sanchez said. "It's definitely gone a lot better than I've expected. I got a full workout in today and I'm ready to go. I'm happy, excited to get started."
So is manager John Russell, now that he's assured of having the 2006 National League batting champion on board.
"Having him in the lineup with the energy he brings and the kind of hard-nosed player he is, it's obviously a benefit," Russell said."His work at Pirate City has been great and he had a great workout today. There is no reason he can't play second base. He feels real good."
More good news: Veteran Matt Morris turned in his strongest outing since March 3, allowing six hits and two runs in six innings against Minnesota.
It was a solid outing for the former 20-game winner, who struck out three and walked three while allowing a solo home run to Delmon Young.
"Today was a step in the right direction," the right-hander said. "It's good to end pitching better, but it's hard to compare spring training to the season, when everybody is focusing on results.
"Obviously, to be as efficient as possible is what you like. I threw a couple of curve balls that were too big and one got hit out, but I threw some that were tough to hit."
Russell believes Morris has the know-how and savvy to carry today's outing into the season.
"It was very positive today. He mixed speeds well and threw some changeups, which he's been working on," Russell said.
"He's continued to get a little better each start, and that's usually what you see out of a guy who has been around a while pitching."
The Pirates finished the spring 13-17, their fifth consecutive non-winning spring.