Walker sent to Triple-A

By JOHN LEMBO
jlembo@bradenton.com
BRADENTON – Neil Walker, the Pirates’ first-round draft pick in 2004, was optioned to Triple-A Indianapolis following Wednesday’s 4-3 win over the Minnesota.
Drafted as a catcher and converted to a third baseman in ‘07, Walker went 1-for-3 Wednesday and hit .231 this spring – yet general manager Neal Huntington said the decision was made primarily for business purposes.
Rules state that any player on a major-league roster after March 20 who gets injured goes on the major-league disabled list whether the player had service at the major-league level or not.
A player earns service time every day he spends at the major-league level – Walker has none – and is eligible for free agency after six years of major-league service. A player with three years of time is eligible for arbitration.
“It seems like a small thing,” Huntington said, “but there are a couple of clubs who’ve had prospects lose entire seasons to an injury, and then collected major-league service and major-league salaries, so this becomes the ugly business side.
“This is the reality of the rules that we operate within, and this is where we have to make a logical decision that protects our business interests. This is not a fun thing because Neil’s worked hard.”
Walker said he knew the decision was coming. He just didn’t know when.
“They explained it to me. I didn’t realize the date was as close as it was,” he said. “That’s the business end of the deal. I think I made a lot of positive impacts up here, and I’m getting closer.”
The Pirates also optioned pitcher Dave Davidson to Triple-A Indianapolis and reassigned pitcher Brian Slocum to minor-league camp after the game.
Prior to the game, the Pirates optioned starting pitcher Tom Gorzelanny to Indianapolis and outfielder Jose Tabata to Double-A Altoona.
Friday’s moves leave 40 players in major-league camp.
CLEAN BILL OF HEALTH: Eric Hinske played in a major-league game for the first time since Feb. 26 Wednesday, starting in right field and going 0-for-1 with a walk.
Hinske had been sidelined after hurting his ribs slamming into a wall during the Grapefruit League opener against the Philadelphia Phillies.
“I don’t feel any pain when I’m running, throwing – anything,” he said. “Back to 100 percent.”
Hinske said got 12 at-bats playing while playing in two minor league games at Pirate City.
“Everybody was great to me – from the front office on down,” he said. “They said, ‘Take your time. It’s a long spring, and wait until it’s gone.’ That’s what we did.”
THEY’RE BACK: Ian Snell was back in Bradenton on Wednesday after Puerto Rico was bounced from the World Baseball Classic by Team USA on Tuesday.
Snell went 0-1 with a 2.25 ERA in two starts for Puerto Rico, striking out 10 and walking three in eight innings.
Pirates third baseman Ramon Vazquez will also return to the Pirates after playing for Puerto Rico in the WBC. Vazquez batted .158 with two home runs and six RBIs in six games for Puerto Rico.