? The Pirates' game against the Cincinnati Reds, which was scheduled for 7:10 p.m. Friday, was postponed due to rain. The game will be made up at a later date, which hasn't been announced. The call was made at approximately 7:30 p.m., when the rain didn't appear to be letting up. The Pirates will open the series with the Reds at 1:10 p.m. today.
? Jeff Karstens was expected to get the start for the Pirates yesterday, but the rain spoiled what would have been his season debut. The Pirates will keep their starting rotation in order, though, giving Paul Maholm the start today and Ian Snell the nod Sunday. Karstens will be in the bullpen today and Sunday and is expected to start Thursday. Zach Duke, as planned, will start the home opener Monday. ? Pirates manager John Russell will wear a brace on his left arm for the next 10 days. Russell had gout deposits removed from his elbow yesterday morning while in Cincinnati. "I'm glad to get rid of what I had," Russell said. "It wasn't very fun. I couldn't bend my arm. It's not good. It's good now." Russell said the gout deposits -- which cause a sudden, burning pain, stiffness and swelling in a joint -- had gotten so painful that it looked like there was a Baseball in his elbow.
? Before the game was called last night, the LaRoche brothers -- Andy and Adam -- were penciled into the lineup. First baseman Adam LaRoche missed the game Thursday with flu-like symptoms that have been circulating through the Pirates' clubhouse. Third baseman Andy LaRoche was used as a pinch-hitter Thursday and didn't play at all Wednesday. "Andy, we gave a couple days off just to kind of relax and regroup, but he's back in there," Russell said. Andy LaRoche got off to a rough start going 0 for 7 at the plate and committing three errors in his first two games.
Digits
10 -- Errors committed by Andy LaRoche last season.
