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BRADENTON, Fla. -- Mark Verstegen, fitness guru, author and personal trainer to elite athletes, has a plausible explanation for Albie Lopez's newfound look.

Lopez, a 33-year-old right-hander and non-roster invitee to Pirates spring training, tipped the scales at 240 pounds when he checked into camp, even though it looked like he wasn't carrying nearly as much weight.

"He may be 240, but he's a terrific 240," Verstegen said. "Look at his calves. They must weigh 20 pounds each."

Indeed, Lopez's lower legs are so taut that it looks like hand grenades have been implanted above his ankles.

Less than a year ago, however, Lopez's calves resembled Jell-O. So did the rest of his body, for the matter, which was the impetus for Lopez deciding to lose 30 pounds, strengthen his muscles and return to baseball following a 20-month layoff.

Lopez is trying to resurrect his career by winning a spot on the 25-man roster. His renewed commitment to conditioning is what led to his inclusion among the 34 pitchers in camp.

"I feel very confident about this," Lopez said. "I'm sure a lot of guys are working hard throughout the league. I know I'm one of them."

That wasn't always the case, which is one reason why Lopez found himself out of baseball in June 2003 after being released by the Kansas City Royals. He was 4-2 with a 12.71 ERA in 15 appearances when he was let go. He also was grossly overweight, out of shape and tired of the game.

"My heart wasn't in it," Lopez said. "I needed a break."

And so it was that Lopez decided to chuck a career that featured a 47-58 record and 4.94 ERA in 297 games and return home to Gilbert, Ariz.

Lopez didn't change his mind until after sitting out most of last spring training. He easily can recite the date of his awakening -- March 23 -- because it is his wife's birthday.

"I have nice cars and a nice house," Lopez said. "I thought, ' I take care of everything else, but I need to start taking care of my body.'"

Before picking up a baseball, Lopez decided he needed to lose 30 pounds, and he did by limiting his carbohydrates and exercising regularly. After he reached that goal, he enrolled at Athletes' Performance, a Tempe-based training facility that counts Curt Schilling, Vernon Wells, Nomar Garciaparra, Pat Burrell and Jermaine Dye among its baseball clients.

That's where Lopez met Verstegen, author of the best-selling fitness book, "Core Performance," and founder and president of Athletes' Performance.

Under Verstegen's tutelage, Lopez was put through grueling three-hour workouts and, eventually, two-a-day drills aimed at strengthening his core muscles. In the process, Lopez regained 10 pounds of muscle.

"He worked so hard, but he worked smart, too," Verstegen said. "He did everything with a smile on his face. I couldn't ask for anyone to work harder."

The only thing missing was an employer. Lopez, though, had two contacts with the Pirates. One was manager Lloyd McClendon, his minor-league teammate at Class AAA Buffalo in 1995. The other was director of player development Brian Graham, who managed Lopez in the minors.

"This is the best shape I've seen him in," Graham said. "By rededicating himself, it shows me how much he wants to pitch."

After clearing up a misconception that Lopez had undergone arm surgery -- "Never had one," he said. -- the Pirates signed him to a minor-league deal on Jan. 28.

"I don't know if (his stuff) is still there, but I'd like to find out," McClendon said. "It's no significant risk to our organization to find out."

All Lopez wants is a second chance.

"I have more respect for the game, for the fans," he said. "I know what it is to sit on the outside looking in. It sat in the stands. It gave me a better perspective of the game."

The Pirates intend to give Lopez a shot at winning the fifth starter's job. If that doesn't work out, he could be moved to the bullpen. It doesn't matter to Lopez where he pitches.

"I just want the ball," he said.

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