Worth noting

By Tom Singer

March 27, 2013

• Following Wednesday's game, the Pirates cleared room on their 40-man roster for starting pitcher Sanchez and infielder Inge, who both made the club after being invited to Spring Training on Minor League contracts, by designating for assignment infielder Clint Robinson and right-hander Hunter Strickland.

• Rodriguez, who like A.J. Burnett, last pitched in a Grapefruit League game in early March, went 6 2/3 innings, throwing 94 pitches, Wednesday in a Triple-A game at Pirate City.

• Alvarez is on fire approaching Opening Day, going 4-for-5 with three RBIs Wednesday.

"I'm feeling good, and will try to transition it into the season," said Alvarez, who has clinched the clean-up spot in the Bucs' lineup.

• Lineup for Thursday's Florida finale, in Tampa against the Yankees:

Marte LF; Jones RF; McCutchen CF; Alvarez 3B; G. Sanchez 1B; Walker 2B; Martin C; Barmes SS; Locke P.

Tom Singer is a reporter for MLB.com and writes an MLBlog Change for a Nickel. He can also be found on Twitter @Tom_Singer.