Nelson Figueroa, who will start tonight against the St. Louis Cardinals, was 12-8 with a 4.19 ERA in 25 starts at Class AAA Nashville. He was leading the Pacific Coast League in wins and complete games (four) while ranking second in strikeouts (129). Figueroa was 2-0 with a 3.38 ERA in three starts with the Pirates last season. Ironically, his last start was at Busch Stadium on Aug. 21. He allowed two runs and five hits in five innings while receiving a no-decision.
Ian Snell was understandably anxious about his first call-up, but he felt some disappointment in leaving behind his Class AA Altoona teammates. The Curve has a 75-47 record and a 7 1/2-game lead in the Southern Division of the Eastern League. "I know the guys down there want to win a championship," he said. "I want to help them out." Snell was assigned uniform number 53.
Wednesday was a whirlwind day for John Van Benschoten, who was called up to make his major-league debut, then was sent back to Nashville after giving up six runs in six innings in a 6-3 loss to the Arizona Diamondbacks. "It was pretty fun," Van Benschoten said. I didn't have that many butterflies. I just took it as another start. I was kind of surprised that I didn't feel all nervous and excited. I felt normal."
Outfielder J.J. Davis began an injury rehab assignment last night with Nashville. He has been on the disabled list since July 15 with a strained right hip flexor. Davis was 18 for 66 with seven homers and 15 RBI in 19 games earlier this season when he was rehabbing a right hand injury at Nashville.
Center fielder Tike Redman was rested yesterday, with Rob Mackowiak starting in his place. Redman was the only Pirates player to start the first 32 games since the All-Star break. The move came one night after Redman had his career-high 11-game hitting streak snapped in Arizona.
3 Players to jump from Class AA Altoona to the majors this season: Mike Johnston, Jose Castillo and Ian Snell
26.6 Average age of the players on the Pirates' 25-man roster with the addition of Snell.
27.3 Average age of the Montreal Expos, the second youngest team in the majors.
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