Snider joins Pirates, excited to be with winning club

CHICAGO -- Clint Hurdle talked about the Pirates having "changed the mindset" and newcomers actually being excited to be sent to Pittsburgh.

Travis Snider illustrated that altered state.

"I'm excited to be part of a winning ballclub," the Bucs' new right fielder said Tuesday, minutes after donning his black-and-gold No. 23 for the first time. "As a fan of baseball, it's been fun to watch this organization and see the strides they've taken. I look forward to helping this team any way I can."

Snider didn't have to wait long for that opportunity. He was in the lineup, batting No. 2, for Tuesday night's game at Wrigley Field against the Cubs.

"It's definitely exciting to have an opportunity to play in October," said Snider, who was acquired Monday night in exchange for right-hander Brad Lincoln after five up-and-down seasons with the Blue Jays. "I'll continue with the mindset I developed the last few years while going up and down: Be prepared every day, go hard and have fun."

Having Snider in the two-hole enabled Hurdle to alternate right-left bats from No. 1 (Starling Marte) through No. 7 (Rod Barajas).

"I didn't want to double up on left-handed hitters in the lineup with three left-handers in [the Cubs'] bullpen," said Hurdle, who eventually would like to work Snider into the middle of his lineup.

Snider had already been clued in on the Pirates' Zoltan culture. Being told about the "Z" and successfully executing it, of course, are two different things.

"I hope I don't botch it. It'll be exciting to be part of something like that," Snider said.

To make room for Snider on the Pirates' 40-man roster, Drew Sutton was designated for assignment, giving the club 10 days to try to work out a deal for the popular infielder-outfielder who provided some big hits during his month-long tenure with the team.

And to readjust the breakdown on the 25-man roster, Daniel McCutchen was recalled from Triple-A Indianapolis to occupy the bullpen seat vacated by Lincoln. Although this will be McCutchen's second stint with the club, the right-hander went on the DL with a strained oblique before getting in a game following his earlier recall.