Waiting for the axe

By MIKE HENRY
mhenry@bradenton.com

BRADENTON -- Wednesday's flurry of roster moves left Pirates general manager Neal Huntington and manager John Russell one move shy of finalizing their 25-man Opening Day roster for Atlanta.
Right-hander Hector Carrasco was reassigned to minor-league camp after Wednesday's 7-4 victory against the Tigers, despite striking out eight with no walks and compiling a 1.29 ERA in seven innings this spring.
After the release of Carrasco and the retirement of popular Japanese pitcher Masumi Kuwata, there are two extra players remaining in Pittsburgh's major-league camp, including injured outfielder Chris Duffy.
That leaves the Pirates' brain trust with essentially one decision: which three relievers to keep from among former Devil Rays prospect Evan Meek, Franquelis Osoria, Phil Dumatrait and 2000 first-round draft pick Sean Burnett.
Meek was a Rule 5 acquisition, meaning the Pirates must keep him on the 25-man roster throughout the year to retain his rights. The right-hander has made seven spring appearances, posting a 4.00 ERA in nine innings while striking out eight and walking five.
The right-handed Osoria, a former Dodger who made 25 appearances with Pittsburgh last season, going 0-2 with a 4.76 ERA, has solid major-league stuff, including a sharp sinker. But he's been hit this spring, allowing a .304 batting average with a 7.94 ERA.
Dumatrait has made three starts, showing good breaking stuff and command of the strike zone. He has a 3.27 ERA and six strikeouts in 11 innings.
Burnett, who is being switched to a relief role by the organization, has been the most effective this spring: a 0.90 ERA and eight consecutive hitless innings.
Burnett, who is in Wellington with his fiancee expecting the birth of their child, appears to have rebounded from injuries that threatened to derail his career.
"The biggest question mark with me the past couple of years has been if I'm healthy," he said, "and I've proved that I am. I've gone two years with not really feeling good and not being healthy.
"I've thrown the ball really well, so all I can do is sit back and I guess we'll find out if I'm going to Indianapolis or Atlanta."
At 25, Burnett knows wherever he starts the season isn't necessarily where he'll end it.