Sanchez's return to field delayed

By MIKE HENRY
mhenry@bradenton.com

BRADENTON -- After discussing it with the 2006 National League batting champion late Monday, Pirates manager John Russell decided to delay second baseman Freddy Sanchez's spring-training debut in the field to Wednesday night's game at McKechnie Field against the Yankees.
On Monday afternoon, Russell had told members of the media Sanchez would play second base today against the Reds in Sarasota.
"He's fine," Russell said this morning. "We talked after the day (Monday), and he wanted to get one more good day of work in. We're not really rushing it."
Sanchez did not travel to Sarasota today, staying behind to work on ground balls, back-hand plays and making double-play throws.
Sanchez's rehabilitation from minor arthroscopic shoulder surgery in September has gone slower than expected, keeping him off the field as he gets back to full strength.
It has not appeared to bother him at the plate. As a designated hitter this spring, Sanchez is batting .368 (14-for-38) with three doubles and nine RBIs.