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Pirates Notebook: Bullington caps long road back
Tuesday, September 04, 2007
By Dejan Kovacevic, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

ST. LOUIS -- Bryan Bullington already had lost enough time.

He and his family were in Louisville, Ky., yesterday afternoon when he received the word he has been awaiting for two years: He was being called up by the Pirates from Class AAA Indianapolis and finally would be back in Major League Baseball for the first time since his right shoulder was surgically repaired in October 2005.

Wasting no time, they packed the car and set out for the four-hour drive to St. Louis.

"We're on our way, and I can't tell you how much I'm looking forward to it," Bullington said. "You kind of take it all into perspective, everything you've been through and ... I couldn't ask for anything more than this opportunity."

The Pirates also promoted another starter, John Van Benschoten, and reliever Dave Davidson to cap their September callups. All three will be in uniform tonight against the Cardinals.

Bullington, the first overall pick in the 2002 draft, made one relief appearance in the majors, Sept. 18, 2005, then was shut down to shoulder pain and, ultimately, needed to have a torn labrum repaired.

He missed all the 2006 season and rebounded to have a solid year for Indianapolis: He went 11-9 with a 4.00 ERA in 26 starts, with 89 strikeouts and 59 walks. Not all went smoothly, as he dealt with a tight upper back in late June and saw his numbers dip, but he had a 3.94 ERA in his final 10 starts to stabilize.

"The best part is that I feel so healthy and strong right now," Bullington said. "The day after I start and throw 100 pitches, I can long-toss at 150 feet. That's something I haven't experienced in a while."

The Pirates have openings for a starter tomorrow and Thursday, but manager Jim Tracy said those will remain undetermined until today. In all likelihood, Bullington and Tony Armas, each of whom pitched Friday, will be the choices in some order. Van Benschoten started Sunday.

Van Benschoten's stint will be his second with the Pirates this season. He went 0-5 with a 9.76 ERA for them in July and August.

Davidson, a 23-year-old left-hander with dynamic offspeed stuff, will make his major-league debut. He had a 1.17 ERA in six appearances with Indianapolis and, before that, a 4.22 ERA in 39 appearances with Class AA Altoona.

All three already were on the 40-man roster, so no other moves were necessary.

Nady OK after beaning

Outfielder Xavier Nady's battered body took another hit in the fifth inning yesterday when a fastball from St. Louis reliever Andy Cavazos struck him on the batting helmet just above the left ear and forced him to leave the game.

Nady had sizable swelling and bruising in the area, but the medical staff diagnosed no concussion. He will not be in the lineup tonight, but he could return after that.

"It got a lot of the helmet," Tracy said. "Thank God."

"What else can happen?" Nady said afterward, managing a small smile.

Already this year, he has lost time to a serious digestive ailment in spring training and a season-long strained hamstring.

Cavazos, a September callup, phoned the Pirates' clubhouse to speak to Nady during the game.

"You're playing with someone's life," Cavazos said. "Until everything is fine with him, I'm going to be a little shaken up."

Buried treasure

Management decided yesterday that, rather than have Zach Duke rejoin the rotation immediately, he will pitch one more rehabilitation start Thursday for State College of the rookie-level New York-Penn League.

Indianapolis manager Trent Jewett and hitting coach Hensley "Bam Bam" Meulens also will join the Pirates.

First baseman Adam LaRoche was given another day of rest for his bruised left knee.

Starter Paul Maholm's stiff back, which caused him to miss his turn yesterday, remained "locked up pretty good," Tracy said. He will not pitch until the weekend at the earliest.

Outfielder Ryan Doumit has resumed taking swings, but he remains a week or two away from playing.



First published on September 4, 2007 at 12:00 am